TACOMA, Wash. – Central Washington's Cross-Country team took a great leap forward in progress as their men's team finished in 2^nd place and women's team finished in 4^th place in the Pacific Lutheran Invitational.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH JONATHAN HILL
"Our women competed valiantly and ran together. We went out trying to compete to win, a word we haven't used too much around here lately and led through 2K. Our women packed up and moved as a unit and groups of people took challenges together. Payton is racing with amazing composure and maturity. Hannah Pidduck, Helayna Bonilla, Julie Johnson, Hannah Mikkelsen and Araceli Esquivel are training well and are primed to keep improving."

"Our men's team also had the mindset that this was a race we could compete in. With a little tighter top 5, the outcome could've been closer. One and two in a meet like this is a tremendous starting point, but this is a team sport, and our supporting cast is getting stronger daily. We have four guys pushing themselves and each other to lower our team totals. Luke was awesome today and Will continues to be a strong piece that will show down the road in big meets."
 
QUOTING THE TOP PERFORMERS
Ramon Rodriguez on his performance. "Easy to run with Johan. He did a lot of the work to help move the pack."

Johan Correa on his performance. "I felt good. As a team, we felt good heading into the race. Very confident. There was always a teammate there to run with and we tried to finish strong."
 
RACE RESULTS
Rodriguez won his first collegiate XC race on Saturday as he finished the 8K in 24:26.3. His teammate, Correa finished right behind him in 2^nd with a 24:27.3 to lead the Wildcats. Rodriguez finished 1^st among 147 participants in the men's 8K and showed consistency and resiliency throughout the race as he was consistent with split times. Luke Hurd finished with a 25:31.2 which was good enough to secure a spot in the top 20. Will McGonigal and Colin Hitchcock rounded out the top five for CWU.
 
Payton Conover led the Wildcats finishing in 8^th with a time of 22:53.4 and continues to show improvement week to week. Hannah Pidduck finished in 15^th with a 23:16.5 and her teammate, Helayna Bonilla was not far behind, finishing 18^th with a 23:32.8. Heidi Gill and Julie Johnson rounded out the top five performances for the 'Cats.
 
UP NEXT
The Crimson and Black travel to Salem, Oregon as they will compete in the George Bowles Invitational on Saturday, October 5^th at 8:30 a.m. at Bush's Pasture Park.