COLFAX, Wash. – The Central Washington University Cross Country Teams competed at the Cougar Classic Friday evening where the women's team placed third with 97 points and the men's team placed fourth with 124 points. Maddy Harrison once again paced the 'Cats women's squad, placing 16th with a time of 22:18.3 meanwhile the men's team was once again led by Weston Breen who placed 28th with a time of 24:54.3. 
 
QUOTING CWU HEAD CROSS COUNTRY COACH JONATHAN HILL:

"I'm unbelievably proud of the efforts today! Taking a short week trip to WSU can be a tall task, especially for a young group but we've got some competitors who love a challenge! This group exemplifies so much of what we have been trying to build: competitiveness, grit, heart, and high expectations for themselves.

In a race with some strong programs our women placed third and our men fourth. We beat some good programs and competed like we belong with the PNWs best.

It was awesome seeing people take risks and step out of their comfort zones. Luke Hurd and Lilly Neff set the tone and went out like the leaders they are. That fearlessness opened the door for others to follow. Weston and Maddy are exceeding expectations and are hungry for more. It's just amazing watching how they approach competition. I'm so proud of every one of our kids that competed today.

We had one of our best days in program history and we're still very early in our process. This group is special and building something great."

QUOTING CWU ASSISTANT CROSS COUNTRY COACH MATT LAYTEN:
 
"I'm so stoked for our crew today on both sides! Our team rose to the occasion that was presented to them and they ran for each other today! Our women got us started with Lilly Neff setting the tempo for our group in the race and got us in the hunt amidst Seattle U and Montana and came away with her fasted 6K ever. Maddy Harrison in her first 6K came through in a 5K pr and a top 20 in the race! Payton Conover is a closer and also found her way into the top 20 in a fast field up top. Katie Manly had another stellar week in her freshman campaign, running her fastest 5K of her life and continuing into our fourth scoring spot! Julie and Hannah had inspiring days to cap off our scoring group through the finish, fighting hard to secure our wins over two D1 teams in Seattle U and Montana. Amazing growth for our women's squad in our still very young season!
 
Our men were warriors out there today! Luke Hurd latched onto the top pack and ran his second fastest 8K. Luke's strong start set the pace for our team and set us up well! Weston Breen, coming off his win last week at home dipped under 25 minutes in his first 8K. Dima, Kellen, and Ares kept our group close to put us in front of Eastern Washington throughout the race. At 7K to go, we were down by one point to the Eagles. Every guy rose to the occasion and closed to pass just a few guys each over the last 1K, which gave us the edge. It was very fun to be up there with Washington's best distance programs in this environment. The fight in our men's group is contagious and there's a big season ahead for them as we go through our regular season and prepare for our postseason!
 
Our program took huge steps forward today and I'm so proud of our Wildcats and their fight today!"

 
RACE RESULTS:
 
Harrison once again paced the women's team with her 16th place finish and a time of 22:18.3. Not far behind Harrison was Payton Conover who finished in 19th with a time of 22:32.1. Lillian Neff was the third 'Cat to cross the finish line at 23rd with a time of 22:38.6. Katie Manly also had a top 30 finish at 28th with a time of 22:48.6. Julie Johnson and Hannah Pidduck finished back-to-back not long after at 38th and 39th with times of 23:17.9 and 23:18.9, respectfully. Araceli Esquivel rounded out the top 50 for the 'Cats in 43rd with a time of 23:35.0. The hosting Cougars of Washington State won the meet with 15 points with Eastern Washington in second with 77 points followed by CWU with 97. Montana and Seattle University rounded out the top five teams with 121 and 122 points, respectfully. 
 
On the men's side Breen led the way once again with a 28th-place finish and a time of 24:54.3. Luke Hurd was the second 'Cat across the finish line with a 38th-place finish and a time of 25:16.2. Freshmen Dima Serafimovici placed 44th with a time of 25:25.5 with Kellen McInelly not far behind in 48th and a time of 25:34.0. Ares Van Straaten wrapped up the top five for CWU in 62nd and a time of 26:04.8. The hosting Cougars also won the men's race with 26 points with Gonzaga not far behind with 34 points. Montana had 85 points for a third-place team finish followed by CWU with 124 points in fourth. Eastern Washington was in fifth with 132 points. 
 
UP NEXT:
 
The 'Cats will now head west to race at the Pacific Lutheran Invitational on Saturday, September 20 with an 11:10 a.m. start time for the women's race with an 11:45 a.m. start time for the men's race with all the action happening from the PLU Meadows Cross Country Course.