MARAUDER WOMEN FINISH 16TH AT STATE, THEOLOGIDY FINISHES 19TH

FRESNO - Marauder cross country head coach Mark Covert couldn't be happier.

Of course he would.

Prior to the California State Championship meet in Fresno at Woodward Park, Covert was hoping for a top 20 finish for the team.

They did that and then some.

Led by Mariah Theologidy, the Marauder cross country team finished 16th place overall Saturday afternoon.

"I thought the girls ran really well," Covert said. "They did an excellent job. To finish 16th, I couldn't be happier. The girls are going to have a really good team next season."

Theologidy, a freshman out of Paraclete High School, finished 19th overall and missed being named All-American by five places. Theologidy finished with a time of 18:59.30. Miranda Daschian (Cuesta College) took home the state title with a time of 17:52.60.

"She (Theologidy) is going to be someone to compete for a state title next season," Covert said.

Krista Beck, who was named All-American last year by finishing 14th, finished 25th (19:17.60) and Carolina Gonzalez finished 46th (19:35.20).

Glendale won the overall team title as the Vaqueros had six of their runners finish in the top 17. College of the Sequoias was second followed by Mt. SAC.