MONMOUTH, Ore. – Linfield men's and women's cross country teams competed for the second time this season at the Ash Creek Preserve, also hosted by Western Oregon University. It was the first 8,000-meter for the men's team and 6,000-meter races for the women's team of the early season. Marcus Stroman and Mia McCormack led the Wildcats once again in the lengthened meet.

The Wildcats were the lone Division III team to compete in the two races that featured some of the best competition in the region, dominated by a slew of Division I and II teams.

"It was fun to race our first 8k and 6k of the season. The first two meets helped ease us into the distance that we'll be racing through the rest of the season. It's going to be fun to see how much we improve in the next 6 weeks." Said head coach Chris McIsaac following the meet.

MEN'S RACE
Marcus Stroman led the Wildcats across the finish line, placing 49th overall with a time of 26:29.8, a new personal best in the 8,000-meter. Teagan Randles followed in 56th at 26:35.1, while C.J. Brindeiro finished 65^th with an 8K personal best of his own in 27:02.8.

Vincent Andrews crossed the line in 28:13.2 to place 88th, followed by Jackson Fears in 97th at 28:58.9. Finley Wodke was the third and final Wildcat to earn a personal best time, finished 102nd with a time of 29:12.1, while Logan Marquart took 104th in 29:28.4. Joseph Nelson rounded out the Linfield team finishing 124th in 36:54.1.

The Wildcats' five scoring runners recorded adjusted team places of 41st, 45th, 49th, 62nd and 66th to secure ninth place in the 12-team field. 

Ranked No. 24 in Division II, Western Oregon claimed the team and individual titles for the meet. 

WOMEN'S RACE
Mia McCormack paced the Wildcats with a time of 23:34.1, placing 83rd overall. Jayden Taylor followed closely behind in 85th at 23:41.3, just 7.2 seconds back of McCormack. Both McCormack and Taylor recorded personal best times in the 6k race.

Jasmine Solso was the third Wildcat across the line, finishing 108th in 25:32.6, also a new fastest time for the sophomore in the 6k. Saniyah Ayala followed in 110th with a time of 25:45.9.

Angela Hernandez-Gallo crossed the finish line in 29:50.1 to place 124th, while Brenna Gamache finished 125th in 30:07.9. Liberty McElfatrick rounded out Linfield's seven-runner contingent, placing 126th with a time of 30:49.0.

"I was proud of how my teammates raced today. We've been working really hard and it's starting to pay off. It was fun racing alongside Mia, we have really pushed each other at practice and in races." Said Jayden Taylor following the race.
Linfield's five scoring runners recorded adjusted team places of 68th, 69th, 77th, 78th and 83rd in the 13-team field.

The fifth-ranked Division I Oregon Ducks claimed the team and individual titles for the meet.

"The competition was really good today. We were the only D3 team, so I thought we competed well against some of the top D1 and D2 programs in the area." Said assistant coach Katie Higinbotham.

Next weekend, the Wildcats head to Spokane, Washington, to compete in the Whitworth Invitational at Plantes Ferry Park.
 
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