By: Jeff Evans, Director of Athletic Communications
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The nationally-ranked Western Washington University cross country teams made a statement Saturday morning competing at the Lewis Crossover.
The No. 11 nationally-ranked men's squad placed 4th out of 31 teams and the No. 27 women were 6th of 33 teams while competing against several top-30 teams on the Lewis XC Course.
The men recorded a team score of 196 led by top 20 finishes by junior Kevin McDermott (12th, 24:16.2) and senior Andrew Oslin (14th, 24:22.7). WWU placed behind No. 1 Colorado School of Mines (34 points), No. 5 Colorado Christian (77 points) and meet host No. 22 Lewis (155 points).
The women tallied a team score of 198 while placing ahead of No. 13 Biola, No. 23 Wayne State (MI), and No. 26 Saginaw Valley State. Sophomore Ashley Reeck paced the Vikings in 18th place covering the 6K course in a massive personal-best time of 21:40.7.
"We are really pleased with how today went for both teams," said WWU assistant coach and cross country lead T.J. Garlatz. "It's always hard to travel across the country and race such highly qualified fields. The women's team really crushed it showing that we are a national caliber team. The men did what they needed to do and now it's time to shift our focus to GNAC and regionals."
The Vikings now turn their attention to the postseason with the GNAC Championships held October 21 at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska and the NCAA West Regional Championships November 4 in Monmouth, Oregon.
MEN'S RESULTS AT LEWIS CROSSOVER
Here is a look at the men's results from the 8K race at the Lewis Crossover. WWU recorded a team score of 196 to place 4th among 31 teams.
WOMEN'S RESULTS AT LEWIS CROSSOVER
Here is a look at the women's results from the 6K race at the Lewis Crossover. WWU recorded a team score of 198 to place 6th among 33 teams. Sophomore Ashley Reeck was the first Viking to cross the finish line in 22:17.5, bettering her previous PR of 22:02.7 set two weeks ago at the Bill Roe Classic. A pack of four Vikings crossed the finish line nearly in order with sophomore Ila Davis (43rd), senior Marian Ledesma (46th), junior Sophie Wright (47th) and junior Meaera Nystrom (48th).
WWU takes next weekend off and is back in action at the GNAC Championships held Saturday, October 21 at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska. The complete 2023 WWU Cross Country schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/23_XC.
Fans can follow WWU Cross Country online at WWUVikings.com/XC, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUTFXC), Instagram (@WWUTFXC) and Facebook (@WWUTFXC).
