ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington University Cross Country heads to Tacoma, Washington to compete in the Pacific Lutheran Invitational. 13 total teams are slated to participate in the collegiate races, representing NCAA Division II, Division III, Canada, and the junior college ranks.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH JONATHAN HILL
"We're excited to get back to PLU and it looks like a beautiful weekend to race.  Despite back-to-back races, our athletes are hitting the training and recovery hard to be ready to compete once again.  This weekend we're hoping to see a little more confidence, a little more polished racing models, and some people testing themselves when faced with challenges."

Hill on the men's team and expectations. "Our men are coming off our highest in-season ranking in history, and last year we finished sixth in this meet.  This group is extremely motivated and hungry to race.  We're hoping for a tighter one through three and see how our number four and five materialize over the next few weeks.  For us to achieve our goals, all five guys need to be on."

Hill on the women's team and expectations. "Our women will face a field that will give them a challenge but will also give us an opportunity to compete.  This will be many of our women's first collegiate 6k, so our expectations for them is to keep gaining experience, trying new strategies, and believing in themselves and the process.  Payton Conover took off last week, but we've got a handful of women that could all race as number one from week to week.  Hannah Pidduck, Helayna Bonilla, Beatrice LeGore, Hannah Mikkelsen (and many more!) all have had outstanding weeks of training."
 
Meet Program: click HERE
 
MEET INFO
Women's 6K at 11:10 a.m.
Men's 8K at 11:45 a.m.
PLU Cross Country Course
Tacoma, Washington
 
NOTABLE RESULTS
Johan Correa leads the Wildcats placing 6^th out of 134 athletes with a 17:24.6 last weekend at the Green Gator Invitational. Ramon Rodriguez followed up closely as he finished in the top 10 with a 17:43.2. On the women's side, freshman Payton Conover finished in the top 40, posting a 14:32.4.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The 'Cats men's team placed fourth and the women's team placed sixth last weekend at the Green Gator Invitational. They will be looking to take a step in the right direction this weekend as competition will be running high.
 
UP NEXT
The Crimson and Black travel to Salem, Oregon next, where they will compete at the George Bowles Invitational on Saturday, October 5^th, at 8:30 a.m.