The Seattle University cross country team made the short trip to Magnuson Park for its traditional opening meet of the regular season, competing in the UW/SU Open Friday afternoon.
Lila Rice (Redmond, Wash.) finished fourth overall in the women’s three-mile run with a time of 16:58.76, over a full minute faster than her time in this event last season. Emily Hedberg (Phoenix, Ariz.) also showed significant improvement, finishing ninth overall in 17:47.90, three-quarters of a minute quicker than her mark in last year’s meet.
Elena Smith (Seattle, Wash.) crossed the finish line in 11th place in 18:01.66, followed by Moira O’Connor Lenth (Seattle, Wash.) in 14th place in 18:09.76 and Rebecca Lassere (Boise, Idaho) in 17th place in 18:33.41. Johanna Erickson (Edgewood, Wash.) finished in 20th place with a time of 18:59.20, ahead of Meghan Arigo (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) in 21st place in 19:05.01 and Lindsay Frederick (Seattle, Wash.) in 22nd place in 19:08.36.
In the men’s 4.5-mile run, Gus Arroyo (Portland, Ore.) was the top finisher for Seattle U, finishing fifth overall with a time of 22:19.10. Baxter Arguinchona (Spokane, Wash.) was the next person crossing the finish line representing the Redhawks, finishing in 19th place in 23:09.42, followed by Matthew Seidel (Santa Clara, Calif.) in 21st place in 23:16.37 and Chay Weaver (Louisville, Colo.) in 22nd place in 23:16.56.
Joe Charbonneau (Bellingham, Wash.) crossed the finish line in 23rd place in 23:27.85, just ahead of Ben Monk (Olympia, Wash.) in 24th place in 23:28.43. Collin Overbay (Spokane, Wash.) finished in 25th place in 23:41.37, and Joseph Nakao (Sammamish, Wash.) finished in 27th place with a time of 23:45.87.
“Both the men’s and women’s teams looked strong. It was a solid start to the season,” Seattle U head cross country coach Trisha Steidl said.
The Seattle University cross country team will see Washington again, as the Redhawks head to Lincoln Park in West Seattle to compete in the UW Sundodger Invitational Saturday, Sept. 20, with the women’s six-kilometer invitational race scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., followed by the men’s eight-kilometer invitational event at 11:35 a.m.