Women's Cross Country Starts 2018 Season with Strong Showing at Nationball Classic

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's cross country team began its 2018 season with a strong showing at the Nationball Classic, earning a perfect score in its dual with Westmont, earning 15 points by recording the top five finishers.

The Athenas, who were ranked No. 15 in the nation in the preseason USTFCCCA Division III poll, actually had the top eight collegiate finishers in the event, which included several CMS alumnae in addition to current members of both CMS and Westmont. Natalie Marsh (SC '19) was the top college runner with a time of 26:10 over the 4.2 mile race, finishing behind only CMS alumna Carmen Mejia (25:52). 

Malea Martin (CMC '19) also started off her senior season with a strong effort, crossing the line in 26:26. Abigale Johnson (SC ' 21) was six seconds behind, while newcomer Emily Clark (SC '22) finished in 26:39 to score points in her first collegiate race. Dulcie Jones (SC '21) was the fifth Athena to cross the line in 27:03, nipping out Georgia Scherer (CMC '20) for the final spot in the top five. Sophie Liles (SC '21) and Riley Harmon (SC '22) also earned top 10 finishes with 27:26 and 27:29 times, respectively. 

A total of 27 Athenas ran in the race, as the team was able to get almost its entire roster out onto the course to start the new campaign. Head Coach John Goldhammer liked what he saw in his first look at his team this fall. 

"Our team looks really strong through the top 10," said Goldhammer. "We should have a lot of competition for the top seven by the end of the year."

CMS is back in action next weekend at the Biola Invitational in Fullerton, before traveling to the UC Riverside Invitational on Sept. 15.