Westmont Men’s and Women’s Cross Country competed at the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday at Irvine Park in the City of Orange. Both teams finished third in their respective races.
“The third paces finishes were disappointing,” acknowledged Westmont head coach Russell Smelley. “They were solid races, but not outstanding races like we had hoped we would have. My hopes were for a chance to win both events. We are looking to be better when we get to nationals.”
In the women’s 5,000 meter race, #2 Biola finished first with a team score of 26 (low score wins) to claim the conference’s automatic qualification into the NAIA National Championship. The Master’s, ranked 11th, placed second with 49 points. The eighth-ranked Warriors finished with 62 points.
Westmont’s Jessica Meyers and Kelly Collins claimed All-GSAC honors. Meyers finished fourth in a time of 18:33 while Collins came in 11th in a time of 19:03.
The women’s race was won by Kellian Hent of Biola in a time of 17:31.
Westmont’s women’s team is expected to receive an at-large invitation into the NAIA National Championship Race when the field is announced later today.
The men’s 8,000 meter race saw #19 The Master’s claim first place with 38 points. Unranked Biola finished second with 57 points, 11 points ahead of the #17 ranked Warriors.
Three Warrior men won All-GSAC honors – Evan Kramer, Nathan Evans and Thomas Hamlin. Kramer claimed a third place finish in a time of 25:49. Evans was the 11th runner to cross the line, finishing in a time of 26:26. Hamlin took 13th place with a 26:42 finish.
The race was won by Biola’s Kevin Horchler in a time of 25:08.
The Warrior men are on the bubble to receive an at-large selection to the national championship.”
