Oct. 28, 2016
Boise, Idaho - Equaling the best finish in its four years in the Mountain West, the San José State women's cross country team took eighth place on Friday morning at the Mountain West Conference Cross Country Championship.
Contested at the Falcon Crest Country Club in Kuna, Idaho, the championship featured two United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) nationally ranked teams. 2015 NCAA national champions New Mexico led the field with a No. 7 ranking. Boise State was 28th coming into the meet and Air Force had received votes in the latest poll.
The Spartans matched their best finish in the meet, which they achieved last year at the Montreux Golf Club in Reno, Nevada.
"We ran tough," head coach Brad Wick said. "This was the deepest field we've competed in this season and we fought to the finish which I was very happy to see."
Jennifer Sandoval (21:18.7) led the Spartans for the fourth consecutive race. The team compiled 224 points, its best point total in four years of competing in the Mountain West Championship.
Following Sandoval, who finished in 22nd place, was Jeanette Zambrano who ran 21:38.2 good for 32nd place. Karina Nunes was 55th with a time of 22:13.8. Adaline Aldapa crossed the line in 68th place in 22:50.3. Ashley Cahalan ran 23:18.0 and Camilla Hanson ran 24:54.1, finishing 74th and 82nd, respectively.
"Jenny was a bit off today and when that happens there is really no place to hide," Wick said. "But Jeanette (Zambrano) and Karina (Nunes) were very solid. As a team we have been battling a few injuries, which takes a bit of a toll, but we'll be ready to go (at NCAA Regionals in Sacramento, Calif.) in two weeks."
By virtue of her win in 20:02.7, New Mexico's Alice Wright earns Mountain West Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Boise State's Clare O'Brien (20:56.4) finished in 12th place earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors. Air Force's second place finish, its highest ever in this competition, earned head coach Ryan Cole Mountain West Coach of the Year honors.
New Mexico, with 42 points, won its ninth consecutive Mountain West Championship followed by Air Force (53 points) and host Boise State (86 points). Rounding out the top five were Colorado State (103 points) and Wyoming (123 points).
2016 Mountain West Cross Country Championship
Falcon Crest Country Club - Kuna, Idaho
Women's 6k Results - October 28, 2016
Team Results
- New Mexico (NM) - 42 pts.
- Air Force (AF) - 53 pts.
- Boise State (BSU) - 86 pts.
- Colorado State (CS) - 103 pts.
- Wyoming (WY) - 123 pts.
- Utah State (US) - 148 pts.
- Nevada (NV) - 193 pts.
- San José State (SJ) - 224 pts.
- San Diego State (SD) - 261 pts.
- Fresno State (FS) - 276 pts.
- UNLV (LV) - 309 pts.
Individual Results (Top-10)
- Alice Wright (NM) - 20:02.7
- Calli Thackery (NM) - 20:11.3
- Carnia Gillespie (AF) - 20:17.9
- Brenna Peloquin (BS) - 20:27.4
- Lindy Long (AF) - 20:34.1
- Jaci Smith (AF) - 20:36.8
- Annamarie Schwanz (FS) - 20:40.7
- Kashley Carter (US) - 20:45.2
- Janelle Lincks (CS) - 20:48.5
- Sophie Connor (NM) - 20:52.1
San José State Results
| 22. | Jennifer Sandoval - 21:18.7 |
| 32. | Jeanette Zambrano - 21:38.2 |
| 55. | Karina Nunes - 22:13.8 |
| 68. | Adilene Aldapa - 22:50.3 |
| 74. | Ashley Cahalan - 23:18. |
| 82. | Camilla Hanson - 24:54.1 |
Athlete of the Year
Alice Wright (NM)
Freshman of the Year
Clare O'Brien (BSU)
Coach of the Year
Ryan Cole (AF)