NU Eagles Open XC Season in Sundodger Meet
SEATTLE, Wash. - The NU Eagle men and women opened their cross country season at the annual UW Sundodger Invitational in Lincoln Park this morning. Over 400 collegiate runners took part in the men's and women's events. The women ran a 6k distance while the men ran an 8k course.
The Eagle women got off to a good start with an 11th place finish in the teams standings competing against NCAA Division I and II, NAIA and community colleges from the Pacific Northwest, Canada and California. The women ran an aggressive race from the outset and Joanna Sowers led the way finishing 66th in a field of 209 runners, crossing the finish line in 23:13.37. Sigrid Thoreson bettered her time in last year's Sundodger by 1:37 to finish behind Sowers in 23:53.98. Newcomer Emily Tacke made her Northwest running debut as the #3 runner and in at 24:18. Emily Sears (24:27) and Marissa Flannery (24:31) completed the team finish.
"I'm expecting our women to improve ever week and peek when it matters," stated NU head coach, Mark Mandi. We'll be excited to add Kelsey Anderson, Morgan Paolini, and Hannah Peters to the mix next week at the CCC Preview/Coyote Twilight Meet in Caldwell, Idaho."
For the NU men, Jonathan Ferguson was the top finisher with a 66th place finish running in a field of 197 runners. Jonathan bettered his 8k time on the Lincoln Park course by 1 minute, 52 seconds. Brandon Deshazer (28:16), Dean Willis (28:30) and Logan Griffis (29:06) all ran in their first collegiate race.
Said Coach Mandi, "I'm really excited about this young group because they love Jesus, mesh well together, and push each other to be better."
The weather conditions for the race were very comfortable with the temperature in the low to mid 60's and an overcast sky.