Titans capture men's and women's titles for first time since 2003; Repeat for Loyola Marymount's Shanahan

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

For the first time since 2003 and only the second in the meet’s 33-year history, the Cal State Fullerton men’s and women’s cross country teams swept the titles Saturday at their season-opening Mark Covert Classic at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea.

The Titans held off Loyola Marymount 34-36 to repeat as women’s champions for the first time since 2003-04.

Cal State Fullerton also edged the Lions 49-70 in the men’s race to prevail for the first time since 2008.

It was the seventh women’s championship and fifth men’s victory for the Titans in meet history.

WOMEN'S RACE VIDEO | INTERVIEWS | PHOTOS

Loyola Marymount fifth-year senior Danielle Shanahan achieved history of her own by repeating as winner of the women’s 5-kilometer race in 17 minutes, 56.3 seconds.

Shanahan became the fourth female runner in meet history to capture back-to-back victories, prevailing as an unattached runner during her redshirt season last year. Former Loyola Marymount star Grace Zamudio (2013-14), Arizona All-American Amy Skieresz Wilson (1996-97) and Cal State Fullerton All-American Heather Killeen Frisone (1993-94) are the other repeat winners.

Shanahan also helped the Lions extend the longest streak by any team, men’s or women’s, in meet history by securing Loyola Marymount’s sixth consecutive individual victory. Sheree Shea won in 2012, Zamudio prevailed in 2013-14, Kayla de Bondt was victorious in 2015 and Shanahan secured titles the past two seasons.

The Lions had freshman Alex Beitia (18:30) finish fourth in her first collegiate race and junior Madelyn Vorgitch (18:37.4) place eighth.

Freshman Wendi Leos became the first Cal State Fullerton female runner since 1994 and only the second in meet history to finish in the top two, taking runner-up in her collegiate debut in 18:09.3. Sophomore Samantha Huerta (18:33) and freshman Trinity Ruelas (18:37) were fifth and seventh for the Titans.

Cal Coast Track Club professional Valerie Sanchez finished third in 18:13.5 and sophomore Angelica Salas was the top two-year college finisher in the race, placing 10th in 18:52.7 to help Glendale Community College CA take eighth overall, edging rival Mt. SAC 227-228.

Juan Paredes, also representing Cal Coast Track Club, won the men’s 8-kilometer race in 25:16. Paredes, who competed in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, held off Glendale Community College sophomore Raymond Lopez (25:22.7).

Lopez became the first two-year college male runner to place as high as second since 2005, but Glendale finished fifth with a 139-point effort, trailing fourth-place Mt. SAC with 97. Sophomore Anthony Alfaro (25:41.7), who transferred from Cal State Fullerton, was sixth and freshman Luis Huerta (25:47.4) placed 10th for the Mounties.

Junior Sam Pimentel (25:26.5) took third and sophomore Jorge Sanchez (25:29.7) finished fourth for Cal State Fullerton. Loyola Marymount fifth-year senior Jack Polerecky, the 2015 winner, was fifth in 25:40.3.