The Cougar women, who are ranked No. 9 in the NAIA, finished third in the 14-team meet with an average team time of 19:30, and more significantly they knocked off No. 4-ranked Cal State San Marcos, which finished seventh overall with a team time of 20:40.
As expected, All-American Brianna Carstensen won the women’s individual race with a sterling time of 18:16 over the 5K course, winning by more than 20 seconds over her nearest competitor. The time is the best season-opening mark ever in Carstensen’s 4-year career at Azusa Pacific, and it’s the seventh sub-18:20 she has clocked over the past 2-plus seasons. Additionally, the victory was Carstensen’s ninth individual title in the past 11 meets she has run, dating back to the 2002 season.
Freshman Whitney Jacobsmeyer Martinez, Calif./Berean Christian HS) was outstanding in her collegiate debut race, running a 19:19 to finish tenth out of 135 runners. Senior Marissa Reeber finished 20th with 19:39, a mid-season time for her last year.
UC San Diego won the women’s team title with 74 points, while meet host UC Irvine with second with 86 points. Azusa Pacific tallied 108 points.
The Cougar men, who are ranked No. 16 in the NAIA, finished fifth overall with a team time of 26:38 on the 8K course. Senior Tim Gachago led the way with a time of 26:10 to finish 12th. Junior Chris Snyder was a surprise 18th with a 26:25.
Much like their female colleagues, the Cougar men surprised Cal State San Marcos, which is ranked No. 2 in the NAIA. Cal State finished seventh overall, some 7 seconds on average behind Azusa Pacific. The Cal Coast Track Club won the men’s team race with 57 points, followed by UC San Diego (68), Southern Utah (72), UC Irvine (88) and Azusa Pacific (120).
A new NAIA Coaches Poll will be released on Friday (Sept. 17) and can be obtained at the NAIA web site.
The Cougars take 2 weeks off and return to action on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Stanford Invitational.
