ELAC All-American Aceves

ONTARIO, CA — East Los Angeles College and CCCAA All-American Laura Aceves, now a Cal State San Bernardino senior, won the California Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Cross Country Championships last Friday at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park.

Aceves is the first Coyote in school history to win an individual cross country title. She took first in the 6,000-meter run in 21:03.3 seconds, a Cal State San Bernardino 6k school record. Aceves’ time was a 6k personal best by a minute and 11 seconds.

As a result, she received the CCAA Runner of the Year Award, the first in Cal State San Bernardino history.

“It's more than just breaking records,” said Aceves, who has earned two CCAA Runner of the Week honors this year. “It's to prove to myself that I can push my limits. I always look to improve. I'm going to give my best…go all out…and I’m going to compete.'”

It was Aceves’ fourth win this year. She also finished first in the UC San Diego Triton Classic, Cal State San Bernardino’s Coyote Challenge and the Biola Invite.

Aceves received academic and athletic scholarships to attend Cal State San Bernardino.

“It just seemed that what CSUSB had to offer in terms of her academic study (kinesiology), it seemed to be a good fit,” said Cal State San Bernardino Head Coach Tom Burleson. “She has the ability and she's gotten stronger over the last two seasons. She's a smart runner. Laura knows how to position herself in a race and understands how to make tactical moves.”

At ELAC, Aceves was two-time All-American in cross country and three time All-American in track and field. She was the CCCAA 2013 Women’s State Cross Country Championships individual champion and took third place at the 2014 CCCAA Women’s State Cross Country Championships.

When Aceves graduated from ELAC with her AA degree, she said it was her greatest feat as a Husky. According to Aceves, her education has always come first.

Aceves continues her Cal State San Bernardino senior year run at the NCAA Division II West Regional in Billings, Montana on Saturday, Nov. 5.

story submitted by Tadzio Garcia