Cross Country Has Impressive Day At WCC Championships
10/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Belmont, CA - The Saint Mary's men's and women's cross country team competed at the West Coast Conference Championships at the Crystal Springs Course in Belmont, CA. The women finished eighth with six runners setting personal bests or record times at the Crystal Springs Course. The men placed seventh with junior Robb Van Wyck cracking the top-20.
"The women today ran faster than any other Saint Mary's team has on this 6k course by 1:48 seconds per runner," said head coach Marty Kinsey. "The improvements that have been made by the women have been incredible. All the personal and school records that have been broken this season are a direct result of the women's focus and hard work. We are looking to continue this new tradition for many years to come. Our average team time was 23:19 per runner. Saint Mary's has never had a team time average under 25 minutes in the previous attempts at this race."
The Gaels finished with a team time of 23:19, leading the women was sophomore Rosie Smith, who finished 27th with a time of 22:34. Smith's time broke the Saint Mary's record at the Crystal Springs Course set in 2007 by Karrie Hagedorn. In second for SMC was senior Tess Descher who shattered her previous best at the WCC Championships by over a minute, placing 29th with a time of 22:42.
In third for the Gaels was sophomore Mariah Ahlqvist, who placed 44th with a new personal-record of 23:31. Rounding out the top-five for the Gaels was freshman Alicia Doohan who ran her second fastest time of 23:48, placing 48th. Fifth, was Natalie Sojka who ran her second fastest time ever with a time of 23:57 which was good enough for 50th.
Also competing for the Gaels was sophomore Elizandra Obando, who set her new personal-record time of 24:14 and placing 52nd. Freshman Alex Choy finished 55th with a time of 25:20.
On the men's side the Gaels were lead by Van Wyck, who finished 16th with a time of 25:59, which is the fourth fastest time in SMC history at the WCC Championships. Second for the Gaels was sophomore James Hayes, who placed 43rd with a time of 27:43. In third was senior Brad Alban who placed 44th with a time of 27:47.
"Our returners combined time was 30 seconds faster than last season. Tony improved by about a minute and Robb stepped up and beat a lot of guys today. Our top runner from last season is red-shirting so with his addition and a talented hopeful recruiting class, we are setting ourselves up for similar gains that the women have had this season. It really is a great time to be a Gael," said Kinsey.
Fourth for Saint Mary's was Jordan Lerma, who placed 47th with 28:46, fifth was Antonio Venegas who finished 49th with a time of 28:49. Chris Garcia finished 50th with a time of 29:15, seventh was Marco Siragusa, who placed 51st with a time of 29:17.
The Gaels return to action Saturday, November 6, when they travel to Davis, CA to participate in the Doc Adams Invitational at the Putah Creek Reserve Course.
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