Bloss Named SCIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week

CLAREMONT, Calif. - After setting a new program record for the fastest time over a 6K race, Meredith Bloss earned the SCIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week for events through Sunday, Sept. 19, the league office announced today.

Bloss finished fourth overall, behind only three Division I runners, with a finishing time of 20:31.0 at the UC Riverside Invitational on Saturday. That time eclipsed the old program record by just over three seconds, which was set in 2017 by All-American Bryn McKillop, who won the national title in the 5000 meters during track and field season that spring. 

As a team, the Athenas came in second place overall out of 22 teams, behind only Division I California Baptist. CMS finished ahead of numerous Division I programs, though, including contingents from Arizona, Arizona State and USC out of the Pac-12, as Riley Harmon and Natalie Bitetti also finished in the top 10 among collegiate runners. 

Bloss becomes the second CMS runner to earn the SCIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week honor in as many events. Emily Clarke took it the first week, after a strong showing at the Mark Covert Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton, where the Athenas also earned a second-place finish as a team. 

CMS will be back in action on Saturday when it travels to San Marcos to compete in the Cougar Challenge.