CMS Women's Cross Country Finishes Second at Mark Covert Classic

BREA, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's cross country team opened up the 2023 season by coming in second place, behind only Division I California Baptist, at the Mark Covert Classic hosted by CSU Fullerton, at Carbon Canyon Park.

California Baptist earned 21 points with five of the top eight finishers. With 63 points, CMS finished ahead of Division I programs CSU Fullerton in third, Loyola Marymount in fourth and UC San Diego in sixth. 

Natalie Bitetti led the Athenas with a third place finish in the 5K race with a time of 17:29.4, beginning her senior season where she left off after earning SCIAC Athlete of the Year and All-America honors in 2022. She was joined in the top 10 by sophomores Riley Capuano (18:16.0) and Elle Marsyla (18:16.0), who finished ninth and tenth, respectively. 

Angie Gushue was the fourth scorer for the Athenas with a time of 18:33.6 to finish in 21st place, while Laura Zimmer was the final scorer in 25th with an 18:41.7. 

Just behind Zimmer in sixth in her collegiate debut was Revere Schmidt, who was 26th with a time of 18:43.2. Sara Wexler (39th, 19:12.0) and Hannah Weaver (42nd, 19:18.6) were also in the top 50 out 118 runners. 

CMS will be back in action in two weeks when it travels to compete at the UC Riverside Invitational.