NCAA WEST REGIONAL
Nov. 15, 2024 • Colfax, Wash. (Colfax Golf Club)
11 a.m. PT – Women's 8k
COVERAGE
Live Results: Record Timing
X (Twitter): @FresnoStateTFXC
FRESNO, Calif. — Championship season continues on Friday when the Fresno State women's cross country team travels to Colfax, Wash., to compete in the NCAA West Regional at the Colfax Golf Club.
'DOGS ON THE COURSE
WOMEN: Gianna Chiaramonte, Diana Cortes, Khushleen Khakh, Chiara Pedol, Janae Penner, Corie Smith, Crystal Raya, Kylie Ward
LAST TIME OUT
Two weeks ago, Fresno State finished eighth at the Mountain West Championships at the Eisenhower Golf Course in Colorado Springs, Colo. It was the highest finish for the Bulldogs since 2014.
Chiara Pedol paced the Bulldogs with a time of 22:56.6. Her finish was the highest by a Bulldog freshman at the championship meet since 2018.
STRONGEST 'DOGS
This year's Fresno State women's team will be its strongest at a Mountain West Championship with five of the eight members ranking in the program's Top 25. Two others are narrowly outside of the Top 25.
All five who rank in the Top 25 have run under 22 minutes with two running times below 21 minutes.
TOP 5 TEAMMATES
At the UCR Invitational, Chiara Pedol (20:44) and Khushleen Khakh (20:57) became the first Bulldog teammates to run under 21 minutes in the same season, let alone the same meet. The duo jumped to No. 3 and No. 5 in the 6k at Fresno State.
At the meet, Pedol also became only the second freshman in program history to run under 21 minutes, joining Sydney Fox (2018) who she passed by two seconds on Saturday.
Pedol's 20:44.8 was the fastest time by a Bulldog since Elena Miezava ran 20:35.8 on Sept. 18, 2021 at the UCR Invitational.
ADDING ANOTHER TO THE TOP 25
Fresno State entered this season with seven women on its current roster sitting inside the program's Top 25 in the 6k. Diana Cortes became No. 8 to join the list on Sept. 21. The junior's time of 21:56.3 at the Riverside Invitational put her No. 22 on the list.
ITALIAN DEBUT
In her first race for the Bulldogs, Chiara Pedol, native of Chies d'Alpago, Italy, became the first Bulldog freshman to debut with a time inside the program's Top 25 since Sydney Fox in 2018 when her time at the USF Invitational came in at No. 23.
BULLDOGS IN 2024
The women's team features 15 athletes this season while the men have nine.
Twelve of the 15 women are back from 2023, including seniors Gianna Chiaramonte, Shaylee Grimm, Morgan Hutchison, Mia Jauregui, Ashley Ochoa, Crystal Raya, Jennifer Recinos and Corie Smith.
The men's team sees six new faces this season. Returning are senior Christian Santana and sophomores Emilio Nunez and Elijah Williams.
IN THE FRESNO STATE TOP 25
Quite a bit of movement occurred in the program's Top 25 in the women's 6k last year. Four Bulldogs entered the list with a fifth lowering her time. It is the most movement to the list in one season since 2007.
The first came when current sophomore Khushleen Khakh moved into a tie for 19th at the Pacific Invitational with a time of 21:51.
Four more came at Baylands Regional Park in the Bronco Invitational. Corie Smith took sole possession of ninth with a time of 21:16. Gianna Chiaramonte (T-21st – 21:55), Ashley Ochoa (23rd – 21:59) and Mia Jauregui (T24th – 22:01) each jumped into the Top 25 with their performances.