OCEANSIDE, California (Press Release)–Grossmont College’s women’s cross country runners did what they had to do Oct. 28 to qualify the team for the Southern California Regionals. This was the sixth season out of the last seven for Grossmont’s cross-country team to qualify for the Southern California Regional Championships.
Grossmont’s effort was led by Janine Ramos with a personal record (PR) of 21:05 on the tough 5-kilometer course at Guajome Park. She finished in 10th place for All-Pacific Coast Conferencehonors! Just missing All-PCC by a few places was the team’s captain, Annalee Mendoza, in 18th place, also setting a personal record of 22:40. Next was the Griffins 3rd runner Ashley Reubens in 35th at 24:53 –another PR! Reubens has been hampered by injuries all season and her effort was the definitive force behind the team’s success in this race.
Behind her were Gabriela Rivas in 36th at 25:12, Bella Long in 54th at 28:50 and Nicole Waugh in 56th at 28:51, Amanda Kazemi 59th 29:46 and Nayeli Bernate 63rd at 32:17. Grossmont’s top three runners saved the day with big PRs to get the team into the next Championship race (on Saturday at Mission Bay).
Nicole Waugh is usually the third runner, but she was very sick and pushed herself to the limit to compete for the team and get them into Regionals. The team has been battling through typical injuries and illness all season, but it looks like most of its members are ready for a big race to qualify as a team for the State Championships. It will take a total team effort, with each athlete probably needing to PR to pull it off, but Coach Robert Claesson predicts they are ready for the challenge.
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Preceding provided by the Grossmont College Cross-Country Team