By Felix Oliveros — Staff Writer
Senior, Jennifer Sandoval went into Saturday morning’s NCAA Championship race as the last Spartan standing in the 2019 season. Becoming the first athlete in San Jose State women’s cross country history to compete in the season finale that took place in Terre Haute, Indiana.
This wasn’t the first time Sandoval made history however. After an impressive performance at the NCAA West Regionals on Nov. 15, she was given All-Region Honors and was the first to do so in the program’s history. Her time of 20:09.8 earned her 10th place, and an invitation to the 2019 NCAA National Championships.
Sanndoval didn’t beat her personal best time of 20:08.6 that she earned back in 2018 but she still finished her season strong with a time of 21:08.2 in the women’s 6k race and finished 82nd out of 254 elite runners from all over the nation.
Sandoval’s consistently never failed as she led the women’s squad in literally every race this season. Out of her six races, Sandoval finished in the top-10 five times, and in the top-three three times, proving her ability to be a constant competitor and maintain a grueling pace at the front of whatever pack she may be put up against.
As Sandoval moves forward, it’s only right to look back.
Sandoval foreshadowed her success back at Summit Highschool in Fontana, California by breaking three school records. In the 3200m, 1600m, and 800m respectively.
Sandoval became a Spartan and immediately made herself a force to be reckoned with as a freshman. Scoring in every one of the six races the season had to offer. There was no ceiling for the young freshman. Four years, five first place finishes, and a strong outing at the NCAA National Championships later, the rest is history.
History that she made.
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