IRVINE, Calif. – In a competitive field packed with Division I, II, III and NAIA programs, the Cal Lutheran women’s cross country team ran to a sixth place finish in a field of 17 to open the season at the adidas/UCI Invitational hosted by UC Irvine at ARC Fields this morning.
Navigating the course as expected, the pack of Taelor Young, Kendahl Waalk and Sarah Parson ran together throughout the race, finishing within seven spots of one another as the top three for the team, respectively. The next CLU swarm included freshman Hannah Yoho and senior Chelsea Feller to round out the top five.
Young was the only sub-20-minute racer for the Regals today, clocking a 19:56.8 as she continues to improve on the course as her career goes on. Running cross country for the first time at Cal Lutheran today, after a season of track and field for the Violet and Gold, was Waalk who crossed the line in 20:01.7. Parsons started her sophomore season with a time of 20:03.4 this morning in the 5K.
The first official collegiate time for Yoho was a 20:20.3 while Feller began her final season of cross country with a run of 20:22.4.
Appearing on the course for the Regals for the first time today were Sarah Girgis (21:38.7), Brieanna Luna (23:04.9) and Katie Young (23:17.4). Sophomore Lauren Chrislu (26:36.1) rounded out the CLU field competing on opening day.
Earning the team title with 15 points, the lowest amount possible, was Division I Arkansas after sweeping the top nine slots and averaging a 17:24.50 pace. The meet winner was Dominique Scott (17:12.5). The Master’s College came in second with host UCI taking the third podium spot despite both teams tallying 98 points.
Pomona-Pitzer placed fourth and was the top Division III team home, followed by Central Arizona junior college as again the teams tied for a point total of 138. Cal Lutheran combined for a score of 201.
Cal Lutheran will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 13 when the Regals travel to the UC Riverside Invitational at the UCR Ags Ops Course. The meet will begin at 7:30 a.m.
Results: 6th - adidas/UCI Invitational
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