ORANGE – Westmont Men’s and Women’s Cross Country performed well at the Biola Invitational held at Irvine Park on Saturday. The seventh ranked women’s team took third place out of 14 teams despite the absence of top runner Kelly Collins who was held out due to a sore hamstring.
“The women did not blink at the challenge,” said Smelley. “Corinne Cherne, Jessica Meyers, Emily Williams and Heidi Nicholls came in 35 seconds apart to hold off their conference rivals Biola and The Master’s.”
Biola is ranked nationally at #13 while The Master’s is ranked at #10. The women’s team finished behind #5 Cal State San Marcos that finished first and #9 Carroll (Mont.) that took second.
“The Warriors will have to wait for NAIA Nationals to have their next opportunity to face off with Carroll at full strength,” said Smelley.
Cherne finished in 11th place with a time of 18:33 and Meyers came in 18th in a time of 18:49. Williams placed 25th in a time of 19:07. Nichols completed the 5,000 meter course in 27th place in a time of 19:08.
The men’s cross country team finished sixth out of 13 places. The Warriors tallied 167 points, just four points more than #25 Vanguard that placed fifth. The Master’s, ranked at #15, finished in third with 86 points.
Kyle Fredrickson claimed 17th place in the 8,000 meter race with a time of 26:22. Evan Kramer ran a time of 26:33 to finish 23rd. Thomas Hamline placed 42nd in a time of 27:29. Nicholas Swider came in 51st in a time of 27:44 and Tyler Bradford followed two second later for 53rd place.
“The men’s team continues to improve with four of the top five finishers being freshmen,” noted Smelley.
Next up for both teams is the Golden State Athletic Conference championship in Santa Clarita.
