SEATTLE, Wash. – The Western Washington University cross country program completed a great series of performances Saturday with the men's and women's teams capturing collegiate victories at the Emerald City Open Saturday at Lower Woodland Park.
 
WWU bested GNAC foes Seattle Pacific and Central Washington in both the men's and women's races to capture team titles. Earlier Saturday halfway across the country, the Vikings had a top-flight contingent competing in the Lewis Crossover in Romeoville, Illinois, with the men taking fourth and women sixth in a stacked field of racers.
 
In Seattle, the WWU women posted a nearly perfect score with 24 points, well ahead of second-place SPU with 41 points. Junior Emma Smith paced the Vikings placing 2nd in 23:34.0, followed by sophomore Emmy Kroontje in 5th (23:49.4) and freshman Kayla Ramsey in 6th (24:00.0) and sophomore Laura Halsell in 7th (24:09.3).
 
The men's squad also posted the victory over CWU and SPU with 31 points in the collegiate 8K race. Junior Dylan Lennon led the Vikings placing 7th finishing in 26:31.4 and junior Drew Weber placing 8th in 26:34.0. Former Viking standout Mac Franks finished 2nd behind CWU's Johan Correa's winning performance.
 
"We could not have asked for much more out of our crew in Seattle today," said WWU Track & Field Interim Head Coach Ben Stensland. "Our upperclassmen ran really well and we can't help but be excited about how our younger athletes are coming along."
 
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.