WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Eastern Oregon University cross country season kicked off Saturday morning as the Mountaineers ran a dual with Whitman College. EOU's
Rachel Roelle and
Lucas Updike finished first in the Women's and Men's races.
On the women's side, EOU could not overcome the depth of Whitman's women's cross country team but Roelle came away with an individual victory as she was the individual winner.
Roelle put herself in the lead pack right from the gun and ran up front with a trio of runners from Whitman. She stayed right in the front throughout the race but looked to be dropping a little with a mile and a half to go, however, she was able to reel in the number two Whitman runner before 400 meters to go and pass the number one runner after 400 meters to go and pull away for the victory.
"Rachel ran an excellent tactical race for the win today" Coach
Ben Welch said.
Roelle's winning time was one minute 25 seconds faster than her fourth place run at this same meet last year.
On the men's side, EOU came away with a 25-30 victory over Whitman. EOU's men's team theme of the day was RTW (Race to Win). Updike led the way for the Mountaineers as he went straight to the front and was in contention for the lead the entire race.
Updike was strong over the last fifty meters to claim the victory. He was followed by sophomore,
Nic Maszk, who finished third overall with a time of 26.34.13. Maszk was 2:34 faster than he ran in his debut last season.
Right behind Maszk was
Kody Shriver who finished fourth overall in the race. The Mountaineers scoring was rounded out by
Hans Roelle and
Gus Titus who come in eighth and ninth.
"All in all, the men ran very well and opened the season in fine fashion," Coach Welch said. "Much like Rachel in the Women's race, Lucas ran a very strong tactical race for a tough win over a strong competitor from Whitman in an exciting fight to the finish".
The Mountaineers return to action on Friday, Sept. 19th when they head to Portland, Ore. to run in the Cascade Collegiate Conference Preview.