Senior Sophie Curatilo (Honolulu, Hawaii) won her second consecutive collegiate race, while two Seattle University men placed among the top five in their event as the Redhawks hosted the annual Emerald City Open Saturday morning at Lower Woodland Park.
Curatilo won the women’s six-kilometer race in 21:42, 10 seconds ahead of Megan Heuer from Club Northwest. Curatilo cut 45 seconds off her time from this event last year as she followed up her victory at the Viking Cross Country Classic two weeks ago and became the first Seattle U female to win individual honors in many years.
Taylor de Laveaga (Gilbert, Ariz.) finished in seventh place in 22:36, followed by Lila Rice (Redmond, Wash.) in 12th place with a time of 22:46. Elena Smith (Seattle, Wash.) crossed the finish line in 17th place with a time of 22:55, and Emily Hedberg (Phoenix, Ariz.) also clinched her spot on the travel squad to the WAC Championships, finishing in 23rd place in 23:48.
Moira O’Connor Lenth (Seattle, Wash.) finished in 28th place with a time of 24:10, followed by Madison Davis (Camano Island, Wash.) in 36th place in 24:30. Rebecca Lassere (Boise, Idaho) finished in 45th place in 24:54, just ahead of Johanna Erickson (Edgewood, Wash.) in 50th place in 25:01. Meghan Arigo (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) finished in 58th place in 25:42, Haley Kruell (Portland, Ore.) crossed the finish line in 61st place in 25:54, and Alisa Poplawski (Newcastle, Wash.) finished in 72nd place in 27:25.
“The women looked solid today, but I know they’ve got more. We need to tighten the spread by the conference meet, and I know that’s something they’re capable of doing,” Seattle U head coach Trisha Steidl said. “Sophie ran a great time and beat tough competition."
Gus Arroyo (Portland, Ore.) once again was the top Redhawk finisher, completing the men’s eight-kilometer event in third place with a time of 26:15. Baxter Arguinchona (Spokane, Wash.) finished in fifth place in 26:25 as he clinched his spot on the travel squad for the conference meet.
Once again, three Redhawks finished one after the other, starting with Joe Charbonneau (Bellingham, Wash.) in 14th place in 27:11, followed by Matthew Seidel (Santa Clara, Calif.) in 15th place in 27:15 and Collin Overbay (Spokane, Wash.) in 16th place in 27:18. Ben Monk (Olympia, Wash.) was just behind that group in 18th place in 27:25, followed by Joseph Nakao (Sammamish, Wash.) in 25th place in 27:47.
Louis Rodrigues (Alameda, Calif.) crossed the finish line in 40th place with a time of 28:47, and Miles Hille (Woodinville, Wash.) finished in 56th place with a mark of 30:00. Running unattached, Tyler Flannery finished in 19th place in 27:30.
“The men’s team looked very strong and focused today. The spread from one to five was probably the smallest it’s been all season, which is great to see on a tough course like this one,” continued Steidl. “Gus looked strong and in control, running a smart, even race.”
"The teams are both heading in a good direction to be ready to make their goals happen at the conference meet and regionals after that," added Steidl.
Those runners who did not earn a spot on the WAC Championships travel squad will have another chance to do so, representing Seattle University at the Beaver Classic next Friday, Oct. 24, at Avery Park in Corvallis, Ore. The Western Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships will take place Saturday morning, Nov. 1, at the Palm View Golf Course in McAllen, Texas.