SALEM, Ore. -- Alauna Carstens (Jr.) from The Evergreen State College finished in third place and set a school record in the women's 5-kilometer race at the 50th Annual Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Bush's Pasture Park. Carstens earned a time of 16:59.40, as she broke her own school record of 17:11. A total of 285 athletes competed in the women's race.
Max Baeder (Jr.) was the top runner for Evergreen in the men's 8-kilometer race. He placed 61st in 25:12.64. The men's race included 333 competitors.
"Any incredible performance and school record by Alauna!" said Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson. "Breaking 17:00 on a cross country course is really special! The team saw really impressive performances from the rest of the women's program!"
The individual women's champion was Lucy Milliner from the University of Hawaii in 16:45.10. Unattached runner Hanna Eagon was second at 16:54.10. After Carstens took third place, Megna Crum from the University of Portland was fourth at 17:00.60 and Addie Oversmith from the University of California Santa Barbara was fifth in 17:12.70.
Sherlyn Perales (So.) of Evergreen placed 112th in 19:35.00. Izabelle Trefts (Sr.) was 135th in 19:57.80 and Soleil Bianchi (Jr.) was 158th with a time of 20:23.60. Althea Clifford (Fr.) placed 162nd for the Geoducks in 29:30.30.
Baeder's personal record of 25:12.64 led the Evergreen men's team. Luis Esquivel (So.) earned a time of 26:16.56, while Osvaldo Calderon (So.) was timed at 27:34.33. Liam Kaperick (Fr.) of Evergreen completed the course in 27:57.58.
"Great highlights today from Max completing the second best 8k in school history with 25:12," Pearson noted. "Shout outs to Luis, Will Niskanen, Osvaldo, Liam, Austin Major, Daniel Sanchez, and Nathaniel Sanchez for their personal bests!"
The women's team title went to UC Santa Barbara with a score of 68 (5-9-10-16-28). University of Portland was second at 96 and the University of Hawaii placed third at 101. The Evergreen women's team was 15th.
University of Portland won the men's team title with a score of 27 (1-2-4-8-12). University of Idaho was second at 102 and UC Santa Barbara was third at 117.
"Great performances all around by the Geoducks!" Pearson commented. "We've had two really solid weeks of training since PLU and I'm very happy with our 5k and 8k performances today."
"Seeing this team evolve each year and grow each race is my favorite part of coaching this team," said Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett. "They had strong performances today and I'm so proud!"
The Evergreen cross country teams are scheduled to compete at the George Oja Linfield Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 18. The meet will be held at the Oak Knoll Golf Course near Independence, Oregon.