Recruiting Update:  Caitlin Villarreal Headed to CSUSM
2/7/08

Coach Steve Scott's women's cross-country team was already looking strong headed into 2008 - now they might be downright scary.  That's because this week, Coach Scott received a letter of intent from star recruit Caitlin Villarreal.

As a senior at Norco High, Villarreal has established herself as one of the top high school runners in the state.  She finished in 10th place at the division II cross-country state meet, running a time of 18:09 in the 5k.  To put that in perspective, no Cougar woman matched that time when they ran on the same course last fall.  Villarreal also times at 56 seconds in the 400-meter.

"Caitlin has speed as well as endurance, which is what you look for in a great runner," commented Coach Scott.  "She could be national class."

Villarreal was being recruited by numerous NCAA Division I schools, but ultimately chose CSUSM and Coach Scott.  She joins a 2008 women's cross-country team that features Morgan Sjogren, who really came into her own last year as the squad's #1 runner; Jessica Sandoval, who had an outstanding freshman season in 2007; and other talented athletes.  The women's team finished 13th at Nationals last season.