Mark Covert Classic Entry List
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton men's and women's cross country squads kick off the 2016 campaign on Saturday as they host the Mark Covert Classic in Brea, Calif. The men's 8k course will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the women's 5k course will be held at 9:15 a.m. with both courses being located at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
MARK COVERT CLASSIC: The Mark Covert Classic, also formerly known as the Fullerton Season Opener for many years, will be featured at 4442 Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea, Calif. The 2012 race was the first year the meet was renamed in honor of 1970 Division II champion and Cal State Fullerton alum Mark Covert.
THE COURSE: Course consists of multiple loops alternating between a 1K grass inner loop in the main section of the park and a dirt trail nature loop. On the second nature loop of the men's course there is a 150-meter section of concrete pathway. Spiked racing shoes or racing flats could be used on this course.
THE FIELD: Schools competing along with Cal State Fullerton at the Mark Covert Classic are College of the Canyons, Glendale City College, Hope International University, La Verne, Loyola Marymount, Mt. Sac, Palomar College, San Diego, San Diego St., The Masters University, Vanguard and Whitter. Also taking part in the event will be a number of track/racing clubs.
RESULTS: Results will be available on finishedresults.com. Complete results will also be posted on Fullertontitans.com following the conclusion of the meet.
STARTING STRONG: In last year's Mark Covert Classic, the Cal State Fullerton had a strong showing as both teams finished in the top five with the men finishing second and women placing fourth.
Of the returners on the men's side, Jose Penaloza was the first Titan to cross the finish line as he finished fourth overall (third collegiate) with a time of 25:18.93. Sophomore Same Pimentel followed Penaloza as he completed the course with a time of 26:09.00 to place 23rd on the men's side.
For the Fullerton women, Sierra Ungerman finished 19th with a time of 19:12.47, Stephanie Ruiz placed 37th (19.38.88), Nisrenn Rizk in 41st (19:50.50) and Emily Ruiz was the final Titan to score finishing 58th (20:27.75).
HISTORY OF COVERT CLASSIC: Cal State Fullerton's annual Labor Day weekend season-opening cross country meet is now in its 30th year of competition. The course has been changed numerous times over its existence, and alum Mike Tansley holds the best time for a Titan male at the invitational with a time of 24:26 in 1993. Todd Williams, Tennessee '89, holds the overall best Mark Covert Classic time for a male of 24:09. The Fullerton men have won the Covert Classic four times, most recently in 2008.
On the women's side the course has changed from a 6k to 5k race. Grace Gonzales (22:47.5, 2011) holds the best Titan 6k time and Heather Killeen (17:33, 1994) holds the best Titan 5k time. Jacky Kipwambok, Azusa Pacific '09, holds the 6k meet record with a time of 21:24.2 and Amy Skieresz, Arizona '96, holds the 5k meet high with a time of 16:57. The Titans have won the women's team title five times with the last crown in 2007.
A LOOK AT THE 2016 SQUAD: The men return six runners from last year's squad who finished 20th at the NCAA West Regional, which happened to be Fullerton's best finish since placing 17th in 2006. Jose Penaloza leads the Titans as he finished 65th overall on the 10k course at the regional, while returners Joseph Caso, Tyler Moffit, Martin Montes, Sam Pimentel and Daniel Ramirez look to brush some experience on the seven newcomers for the Titans heading into 2016.
On the women's side, Fullerton has seven Titans coming back for the 2016-17 season as five seniors return. The CSUF women's cross country team will be a seasoned squad with only two true freshmen as sophomore Stephanie Cortez and senior Sierra Ungerman will look to lead the way for the Titans.
2015 REVIEW: The Cal State Fullerton men's Cross Country squad had a strong 2015 season as they placed in the top six in each event prior to the postseason. The top finishes last year came at the Mark Covert Classic where the Titan men finished second overall and a third-place finish at the Highlander Invitational. The men finished sixth at the Big West Championship, but would place well at the NCAA West Regional as they finished 20th, which was the highest finish for the Titan men since 2006. Jose Penaloza was the top Titan in 2015 as he finished in the top 15 in four events, including a fourth-place finish at the Mark Covert Classic with a time of 25:18.93.
The Titan women had an impressive 2015 season by placing in the top five in four events, including a fifth-place finish at the Big West Championship. Fullerton's best place at an event last year was at the Mark Covert Classic and Highlander Invitational where they finished fourth at both courses. Emily Taylor and Sierra Ungerman had the best finished of the year for the women as the both as high as sixth during the course of the season. At the Highlander Invitational, four Fullerton women placed in the top 25.
LONGEST-TENURED COACH: As the 2016 season gets underway, cross country and track and field head coach John Elders enters his 29th season at the helm of each program making him the longest tenured head coach in the history of Cal State Fullerton.
Elders was tied with former fencing head coach Heizaburo Okawa (1982-2006) and former men's soccer coach Al Mistri (1981-2005) for 25 years of service at Fullerton. The Orange County native is coach of cross country, women's indoor track and field, and men's and women's outdoor track and field.
UP NEXT: The Titans will hit the road on Sept. 17 for the USD Invite in San Diego, Calif. at Tecolote Shores North Park. Parking is free for the event.