LACEY, Wash. – Members of the Central Washington University cross country team hoped to improve their early season times as they raced the clock at the Ken Garland Classic on Saturday morning.
"Pretty pleased with what we saw today," CWU Head Coach
Kevin Adkisson said. "It was a good day for the group we sent. It was a rainy morning, but everyone got through the course pretty smoothly. The ladies put together a good finish and that is super encouraging. To be able to finish ahead of Saint Martin's was a great achievement for them. It says a lot for the depth of our group this year."
The Course at the Ken Garland Classic was relatively flat with one downhill. A stark contrast from the Wildcats home meet at Apple Ridge Run Cross Country Course two weeks ago. At today's meet, the surface includes dirt trail through wooded areas, wood chip paths, some gravel roads, and a little bit of pavement.
The Wildcat women put together a fourth-place team finish. As a team, the Wildcats averaged a time of 19:51.98.
Zoie Mastin was the Wildcat's top finisher. The freshman out of Lake Stevens, Wash. finished 26
th with a time of 19:32.03.
Samantha DuPras was next for the Wildcats. She took 31
st with a time of 19:46.68.
Jenna Heesacker scurried to a 34
th place finish with a time of 19:54.06. Teammate
Alexa Neff was just one spot behind after completing the race in 19:55.22.
Kay Lester was the final Wildcat to notch points towards the team score. Lester ran to a 37
th place finish with a time of 20:11.91.
The Wildcat men did not send enough competitors to tally a team score.
William Miller was the team's best finisher with a time of 27:31.69. The mark was good enough for a 40
th overall finish.
Ian Engdahl finished 45
th with a time of 27:37.19.
Spencer Solvberg hustled to a 50
th place finish. He ran the 8k race in 27:50.00.
Ethan Lapic was the final Wildcat to cross the finish line. Lapic earned a time of 28:02.44.
Up next for the Wildcats is the Joe Payne Invitational. The meet is hosted by the University of Washington and will take place at Chambers Creek park in University Place Washington.
