YAKIMA, Wash. – The Central Washington University cross country team opened its season at their home meet. The Wildcats raced to the finish line at the CWU Invitational on Saturday.
"I'm pleased overall with a solid effort and a good opening week for the teams," CWU Head Coach
Kevin Adkisson said. "The team's ahead of us are excellent teams. To have to face off against Western and Simon Fraser who are both inside the top three in conference is tough first meet to have, but it's a good measuring stick for us. It helps us know where we are at and that we have some work to do."
The Wildcat men ran to a third-place team finish with a total of 100 points.
Donovan Barnhart was the top-scorer for the Wildcats, taking 23rd with a time of 20:04.51.
Garrett Hough finished one spot behind with a time of 20:05.57.
Henry Milodragovich took 26th overall with a time of 20:15.30.
Rajesh Gill and
Zach Sundt rounded out the point-scorers for the Wildcats with times of 20:20.12 and 29:20 respectively.
"The pack of scorers fell together and that was encouraging," Coach Adkisson said about his men's team. "The group finished close to one another which is something we try to do. I like where they are at to open the season."
As a team, the Wildcat women took fourth place overall with 123 points.
Lily Tyrrell was the top finisher for the Wildcats with a 15:54.01 and placed 20th.
Molly Mattson finished close behind with a 15:56.35.
Caitlin Gohr took home a 28th place finish with a time of 16:17.40.
Madison Child was one spot behind with a mark of 16:17.49.
Delaney Clem rounded out the point scorers for the Wildcats with a time of 16:36.62.
"People have already made good progress from the time trials we had on our own," Coach Adkisson added. "Molly [Mattson] and Lilly [Tyrell| posted great times on that course. Caitlin [Gohr] has made great improvements from last season as well. The ladies are solid. We are ready to move as a pack better than we were last year. We hope to move that whole pack forward as the season goes."
The Wildcats travel to Monmouth, Ore. for the Sundowner Invitational on Friday, Sept. 20.
