Natalia Ruiz

Women's Cross Country Kelsey Olsen

Ruiz Leads Rebels At Mark Covert Classic

Sophomore Natalia Ruiz takes second in the women's 5K with a 17:39.3.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV women's cross country team finished 10th overall at the Mark Covert Classic in the women's 5K, which was held Saturday morning at the Carbon Canyon Regional Park hosted by Cal State Fullerton. 

The Scarlet & Gray finished with a score of 246 points and a team time of 1:41.54. Cal State Fullerton claimed the top spot in the team standings with a score of 24 and a team time of 1:32.38. Azusa Pacific took second with 111 points, USC finished third with 120, San Diego took fourth with 132 and Loyola Marymount rounded out the top five with 111 points. 

Ruiz placed second individually with a time of 17.39.3, while Fullerton's McKaylie Caesar took first with a 17:29.9.

Other UNLV individuals in the top 100: junior Ellen Wise placed 66th with a personal best of 20.33.8, junior Isabella Schrader took 72nd (20:43.4), senior LaKyla Yazzie took 92nd (21:28.4), junior Stephanie Zamora finished 93rd (21:28.9) and freshman Abigail Danlag placed 98th with a personal best of 21:35.2.

Other Rebel standouts included senior Mackenzie Moss, freshman Nicole Boskovich, sophomore Aitza Romero, freshman Aine McDade, freshman Taylor Gauthier and junior Morgan Aittama. 

There were a total of 167 runners competing in the event. 

QUOTABLE:
"Natalia had an amazing day on the course, she just looked great and I'm really proud of her for showing out for us already. From wire to wire she was in the top three and only a little off of her personal best, but for an opener in the summertime she did very well. I'm proud of how all the girls finished. Bella, Abby and Mackenzie really came out strong, as did the rest of the team. All kudos really go to Natalia, she put on a show for everybody out there and it was just really fun to watch. We're looking forward to heading over to Minnesota in a few weeks and competing in that environment and keeping the energy rolling." 
- Dorian Scott, Head Coach for Track & Field and Cross Country

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV will be back in action on September 23 with a trip to Minneapolis for the Roy Paul Griak Invitational hosted by Minnesota on the Les Bolstad Course. 

-UNLV-

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