Individual Results
Team Results
Team Scoring
Results by Age-Group

SAN MARCOS, Calif.— On a perfect cross country morning with cool temperatures and a slight drizzle, the No. 4 ranked Cal State San Marcos men's cross country team brought the heat on Saturday at the 2012 Cougar Challenge, running away from the field for their third victory in five races this season.

The Cougars topped the field of four teams, which consisted of intercollegiate athletes as well as athletes competing in the San Diego Dirt Dog Series, and many members of the local running community.

The race for the individual title became apparent early on, as the trio of Jonathan Pierce, Daniel Lyon, and Ricky Avila put a gap on the field within the first mile. As the race wore on, CSUSM All-American and school record holder Daniel Lyon and former Stanford All-American Jonathan Pierce went neck and neck until the final mile, where Pierce pulled away for the victory in 24:13. Lyon came in second overall in 24:26, which was above his course record set in 2010 of 24:03, but well under the winning time from both of the last A.I.I. Conference Championship meets, which are held on the same course.

The Cougars placed all five scorers in the top 13 overall, and eight of the top 11 places in the team scoring once the individual competitors were sorted out. The field was strong up front, as the 2011 Cougar Challenge winner Western Nelson ran 25:00— three seconds faster than in last year but finished in fifth place. Freshman Steven Ing was not far behind, running 25:02. Fellow freshman Zach Laurenzana and Michael Hewitt rounded out the top five for CSUSM in 25:27 and 25:39.

In all, the Cougars finished with 20 team points. Team BSK edged out Concordia-Irvine by a single point 61 to 62 for second place.

Cal State San Marcos will compete next at the A.I.I. Conference Championship meet, held once again at the Mangrum Track and Soccer Field on Saturday, November 3. The fourth ranked Cougars will face a challenge from conference rival and second ranked British Columbia as they look to clinch their fifth consecutive conference crown.