MONMOUTH, Ore. – Racing in their most challenging meet of the season thus far, the Linfield Wildcats went toe-to-toe with several Division I programs, including Portland, Portland State and Eastern Washington Friday afternoon at the Mike Johnson Classic.
Staged at Ash Creek Preserve and hosted by Western Oregon University, the eight-kilometer men's race featured 13 collegiate squads, plus a club team from the University of Oregon. The 6K women's run involved 12 college-level teams, plus UO Running Club.
Leading the way for the Wildcat women was
Jennifer Torres Bermudez. The sophomore from nearby Canby, Oregon, covered the mostly flat and open course in 25 minutes, 2 seconds to place 55th overall, just in front of teammate
Makayla Erickson, who was 59th in 25:12.
Ashley Ambrose followed in 75th place in 26:11,
Samantha Kasitz, 90th in 27:19 and
Holly Riley, 95th in 27:36.
As a team, the Linfield women were slotted 10th in the team standings.
On the men's side, the Wildcats earned an 11th place showing.
Newcomer
Alex Oathout set the pace for the 'Cats, crossing the finish line in 66th place in 27:45.
Calvin Cahill was close behind in the 76th position, clocking 28:08.
Other Linfield finishers among the top 100 competitors included
Bradley Kiltow, 89th in 28:56,
Calvin Ong, 92nd in 29:08, and
John Christian, 99
th in 29:20.
NEXT
Linfield heads to Salem on Saturday to compete in the Charles Bowles Invitational at Bush's Pasture Park. The women's race is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. with the men's race to follow.
