RAINING PRAISES : Runner Marisol Cossio, a legend in Bolivia, is blistering the track for Cal State L.A.

Like a noble warrior seeking new conquests, cross-country runner Marisol Cossio came to the United States in search of competition.

First in Los Angeles in 1991. And, she hopes, in Atlanta in 1996.

“I wanted to become a better runner,” said Cossio, “and there is not a lot of competition in Bolivia. So I came to America to run in the Los Angeles Marathon.”

Although illness forced her from that race, Cossio made friends in town and decided to enroll at Los Angeles Community College to study--and to train. Last year Cossio transferred to Cal State Los Angeles, where she is a Spanish major and a member of the Golden Eagles cross-country team.

A vital member.

“Marisol is the key ingredient in this team’s chemistry,” said Cal State L.A. Coach Greg Ryan. “She takes this team to the next level.”

And the 29-year-old has displayed the prowess that made her a legend in Bolivia.

At last year’s Division II Track and Field Championships in San Angelo, Texas, Cossio finished second in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 35 minutes 7 seconds and third in the 5,000-meter run in 17 minutes.

In May, Cossio won the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. Championships in the 3,000 meters (9:46) and 5,000 meters (16:55) at UC San Diego to help the Golden Eagles to their second consecutive conference title.

And last month, Cossio took second place overall at the Fullerton Invitational at Carbon Canyon Regional Park. She was also the top Division II runner in the Aztec and Stanford invitationals.

Despite her considerable success in the United States, Cossio has yet to receive the acclaim she did in Bolivia, where she was always a step ahead of her peers. She was a member of Bolivia’s 1989 and ’91 World Cross-Country Teams. Cossio holds the women’s 3,000-meter (9:46.02) and 5,000-meter records (16:55.03) in Bolivia.

“I have an advantage over many runners because the altitude is much higher in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and it helped my conditioning and endurance a lot in long-distance running,” she said.

Ryan agreed: “Training in that altitude conduces a lung development that is hard for girls here at sea level to match.”

Cossio reminds Ryan of Gretchen Lohr, a former all-American at Cal State L.A. who finished fourth in the 1988 L.A. Marathon, and Marie Rollins who also ran at Cal State L.A. competed for Ireland in the 1988 Olympic marathon.

“Gretchen, Marie and Marisol are mentally tough, physically strong and are able to withstand lots of training,” Ryan said. “I think Marisol could finish in the top five in the L.A. Marathon.”

Yet Cossio has not competed in the past two L.A. Marathons, deciding instead to concentrate on competing at the collegiate level, where her presence and yeomanly work habits have inspired her teammates.

“Marisol is very determined and dedicated,” said teammate Mary Ann Martinez, a junior who shares a two-bedroom apartment with Cossio next to Wilson High School. “When we see Marisol out in front of a race, we want to run with her. So that motivates the team to work out harder.”

“Other players watch Marisol’s training techniques and dedication, and that rubs off,” said Ryan, who has coached the Cal State L.A. cross-country team for eight years. “That is much more effective than any motivational speeches I could give them.”

Cossio has the dedication, endurance and speed that make for a world-class runner. She also has the most valuable tool: that kick at the end of a race that often is the difference between victory and defeat.

“Physically, Marisol is able to push herself really hard, accelerate at the last minute and win a race,” Ryan said.

Ryan also believes that Cossio’s age contributes to her success.

“Runners are usually at their best when they hit their late 20s or 30s,” Ryan said. “She was born with the ability to compete, but her strength comes from running so many miles over the years.”

Cossio visits Boli.jvia from time to time, to compete and to visit her parents, sister and brothers. She wants to teach there someday: “I feel more comfortable around my family and friends (in Bolivia). I will continue to run in my country and, hopefully, have a family.”

But first, Cossio wants to take another trek, one to Atlanta, as a member of the Bolivian Cross-Country Team. “After that, I will finish with my studies here and go back to my native country.”