Sept. 12, 2009

Complete Results

YAKIMA, Wash. - Despite holding out a number of its top runners, nationally ranked Western Washington University swept the team and individual titles in both the men's and women's divisions Saturday at the Central Washington University Cross Country Invitational held at the Apple Ridge Course.

The Viking men, ranked seventh in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division II National Preseason Poll, won for the second straight year with a score of 19 points, 29 ahead of runner-up Seattle Pacific (48).

Host Central Washington was third (57), Alaska Fairbanks fourth (108) and Skagit Valley CC fifth (145)

Western's Bennett Grimes (Jr., Pocatello, ID/Century) and Blake Medhaug (Jr., Bothell) placed 1-2, Grimes having a winning time of 19:49 on the 6-kilometer course, followed by Medhaug in 20:09.

Placing fifth for the Vikings was Nick Abraham (So., Sammamish/Skyline) in 20:47 and Yonas Berhe (So., Seattle/Roosevelt) was sixth in 20:48.

In the women's division, Western, ranked No.10 nationally, took top honors with 31 points, Seattle Pacific finishing second with 45. Alaska Fairbanks was third (65) and Central fourth (76).

The Vikings' Sarah Porter (Jr., Hockinson) posted a winning time of 15:13 on the 4-kilometer course, over a minute in front of second-place Kate Harline (16:15) from Seattle Pacific.

Western's Emily Wallen (Fr., Olympia/Capital) was fourth in 16:32 and Kristi Fairbanks (Fr., Snohomish) was sixth in 16:36.

"We knew that this wasn't going to be a big meet," said Western coach Pee Wee Halsell (23rd year), "but it gets us ready for next week's competition, which is one that we're gearing up for."

Among the notable Vikings not competing Saturday were Lauren Breihof (So., Vancouver/Mountain View), Courtney Olsen (Sr., Bellingham/Squalicum), Danielle Slaughter (Sr., Spokane/Shadle Park), Anthony Tomsich (Sr., Fairbanks, AK/West Valley) and Jordan Welling (Jr., Burlington/Burlington-Edison).

"They don't need to race every week and it gives our younger athletes a chance to compete, which helps their confidence," Halsell said.

Both Western teams placed 10th at last year's NCAA II National Championships.

The Vikings next compete at the Sundodger Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 19 (9 a.m.) at Lincoln Park in Seattle.

Sept. 12 (Sat.) at Central Washington Invitational - Yakima, Wash. (Apple Ridge Course)

MEN

TEAM RESULTS (6K) - 1. Western Washington 19, 2. Seattle Pacific 48, 3. Central Washington 57, 4. Alaska Fairbanks 108, 5. Skagit Valley CC 145.

WWU INDIVIDUAL RESULTS - 1. Bennett Grimes 19:49, 2. Blake Medhaug, 20:09, 5. Nick Abraham 20:47, 6. Yonas Berhe 20:48, 10. Kyle Johnson 21:07, 22. Danny Lindstrom 21:58, 24. Anders Mavis 22:03, 35. Jesse Roberson 23:40, 42. Carl Johnson 25:13, 43. Andy Randles 25:19.

TOP TEN - 1. Bennett Grimes, Western Washington, 19:49; 2. Blake Medhaug, Western Washington, 20:09; 3. Manuel Santos, Central Washington, 20:28; 4. Graham Armstrong, Unattached, 20:43; 5. Nick Abraham, Western Washington, 20:47; 6. Yonas Berhe, Western Washington, 20:48; 7. Tanner Boyd, Unattached, 20:50.00; 8. Dylan Peterson, Unattached, 20:51.00; 9. Jordan Lance, Seattle Pacific, 20:55; 10. Kyle Johnson, Western Washington, 21:07.

WOMEN

TEAM RESULTS (4K) - 1. Western Washington 31, 2. Seattle Pacific 45, 3. Alaska Fairbanks 65, 4. Central Washington 76.

WWU INDIVIDUAL RESULTS - 1. Sarah Porter 15:13, 2. Emily Wallen 16:32, 6. Kristi Fairbanks 16:36, 9. Kendra Hedges 16:59, 10. 11. Mary Rogers 17:16, 15. Stephanie Houck 17:35; 22. Gaby Krevat 18:07, 24. Jullian Altizer 18:23, 25. Maria Ujifusa 18:24, 32. Lauren Thompson 19:06, 35. Kendra Miller 19:22, 40. Robin Mueller 20:14, 44. Melissa Foss 24:58.

TOP 10 - 1. Sarah Porter, Western Washington, 15:13; 2. Kate Harline, Seattle Pacific, 16:15; 3. Lisa Anderberg, Seattle Pacific, 16:23; 4. Emily Wallen, Western Washington, 16:32; 5. Heather Edic, Alaska Fairbanks, 16:35; 6. Kristi Fairbanks, Western Washington, 16:36; 7. Mary Williams, Seattle Pacific, 16:45; 8. Jana Benedix, Alaska Fairbanks, 16:54; 9. Kendra Hedges, Western Washington 16:59; 10. Stephanie Cooke, Central Washington, 17:04.00.