Billings, Mont. It was a successful day for the Central Washington University cross country teams, as both teams raced to a 10th place team finish at the NCAA West Regionals on Saturday.
"Certainly pleased with both teams finishing in the top 10," head coach Kevin Adkisson said. "I don't think it's something we've ever achieved as far as both squads are concerned. It's really encouraging."
Alexa Shindruk and Nicole Soleim applied two different strategies in Saturday's race. Shindruk emerged as a contender from the moment the gun sounded. She would remain inside the top five throughout the race. On the other end, Soleim paced herself early, gradually improving her position throughout the contest.
In the final stages of the race, Shindruk faded while Soleim powered to the line. Soleim crossed the line in fifth, earning an automatic individual berth in the NCAA championships. Soleim is just the second Wildcat from the women's team to earn one of the automatic berths for an individual. Kate Hummel was the last to do so, earning her berth in 2006.
Shindruk crossed the line in eighth, and will wait to see if she'll join Soleim in the final race of the season.
"On the ladies side, it was really exciting to watch that race," Adkisson said. "Alexa established herself as a part of the front five early in the race. She stayed there the entire way. She ran pretty aggressively for the most part. The front four or five broke away after that first mile. Nicole was in the top 20 after the first mile and moved up gradually throughout the race. It was a super awesome finish."
Corbin Carlton was the top finisher on the men's side, bringing home a 41st place finish.
"Corbin did a great job on the men's side," Adkisson said. "He got out there in the first mile and latched onto the lead pack. He stayed tough the rest of the way. Trevor Allen moved up really well through the race. Turlan Morlan struggled a little bit during the second half of the race but really hung in there. I can't complain, especially from the effort side."
Runners who advanced to the NCAA Championship will compete on December 1, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
