MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Central Washington University cross country competed on a familiar course at the NCAA West Regionals in Monmouth, Ore. Despite getting desired times out of individuals, the Wildcats had a down day scoring points as a team. 
 
The Wildcats competed on the same course on Sept. 20 of this season. Western Oregon hosted the Sundowner Invitational in ideal elements. Conditions were absolutely excellent for the Sundowner Invitational. At the sound of the starter's gun, Monmouth touted a temperature of 69 degrees with very little wind. 
 
Trevor Allen took advantage of the scenario that day, posting a 25:06, good enough for a ninth-place finish. Molly Mattson was the top-finisher on the women's side. She finished the course in 23:26. 
 
Despite the NCAA West Regionals taking place two months later, conditions for the event were very similar. Clouds filled the sky, as athletes raced through 50-degree weather.  
 
Mattson put together the best individual effort for the Wildcat women. Mattson hustled through the 6k course with a time of 22:03.7. She improved on her time from the first event that Wildcats raced on the course this season. The mark was good enough for a 54^th place finish. 
 
Lily Tyrrell was next in order for the Wildcats. Tyrrell scampered to a 93^rd place finish with a time of 22:32.5. Ashley Arreola put in a solid effort. She finished the race in 22:38.6. 
 
Rounding out the scorers for the Wildcats were Delaney Clem and Caitlin Gohr. Clem put together a time of 22:46 while Gohr finished two spots behind Clem with a time of 22:52 in 119^th overall. 
 
The women's team scored 471 points and were mired back in 18^th position in the standings. Chico State took the team region title with 75 points. The Great Northwest Athletic Conference flexed its muscle, taking six of the top 10 spots on the women's side, including the individual champion. Alaska Anchorage's Emmanuelah Chelimo took the individual title, finishing the 6k course in 20:22.4.
 
We got hit hard, from a team standpoint this year," CWU Head Coach Kevin Adkisson said. "Overall, the California schools really brought it this year. It showed the depth of the people we graduated last year. Pack-wise, we were better, but we just didn't have the same finishes towards the front s we've had in years past."
 
Allen entered the men's race after earning GNAC First Team honors two weeks ago. Allen had trouble navigating the massive pack. He'd run to a time of 31:45.9 and take 67^th place overall. 
 
Zack Sundt rose to the occasion for the Wildcats. He finished with a time of 32:07.6 to take 91^st place. Two spots behind Sundt was Rajesh Gill. Gill clocked a 32:10.1. 
 
Donovan Barnhart and Mateo Rivera rounded out the Wildcat scorers. Barnhart finished 106^th with a time of 32:26.3. Two spots behind him was Rivera who finished the course in 32:33.5. 
 
As a team, the Wildcats took 17^th with 464 points scored. Chico State completed the West Regional Sweep with 43 total team points. Western Washington was the highest finishing GNAC school The Vikings grabbed fifth with 139 points. 
 
"From an individual standpoint, we are very pleased with the times we got out of this race," Coach Adkisson added. "We're coming home with people who feel like they ran hard and gave it their all. I think we had a lot of good individual efforts. People fought for positions and did what they needed to do. The team side was just a little tough."