With feet pounding against damp ground, the Seattle University cross country teams stayed focused in just their second meet of the season Saturday at the Sundodger Invitational at Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
The men finished the 8K race in 3rd place behind in-state foes Washington State and Washington with an average time of 25:22.49.
Seattle U cross country head coach Trisha Steidl liked seeing the determination in the way the men’s team ran.
“The men’s team is deep, and overall they ran about 30 seconds faster than last year” Steidl said. “Like the women, the guys are excited to learn and continue to grow from each experience and that’s what will help propel them to reach their goals.”
Sophomore Chay Weaver became the first Seattle U finisher with a time of 25.12.88, placing 20th in the pack. Weaver beat his time from last year at the same meet by almost 40 seconds.
Steidl wasn’t surprised by his race.
Happy? Yes. But not surprised.
“He is a tough, tenacious competitor and his fitness is solid right now,” Steidl said.
The women finished the 6K in 6th place with an average time of 22:26.89. It was another strong showing from the women in what was really the first full-length meet of the season.
Still, Steidl thinks they can continue to improve.
“The best thing is not only are the women strong, they also welcome the opportunity to make improvements in the ‘small’ areas and are focused on doing everything necessary to be their best,” Steidl said. “That mindset is what is going to help them build off of their experiences today and continue to press towards their end-of-season goals.”
For the second week in a row, junior Lila Rice was the first Redhawk to cross the finish with a time of 22:00.88.
“Lila ran a strong race today,” Steidl said. “She looked solid and in control. She’s continuing to build upon her fitness from the past two years and with her experience level being higher now…she’s doing a great job of putting the two together.”
With the season just getting underway, there’s always room to grow.
But Steidl can’t help but be proud of Saturday’s performances.
Of the 13 men’s runners, six placed in the top half of competitors. Behind Weaver, senior Baxter Arguinchona finished with a time of 25:14.04 at 23rd place, while sophomore Louis Rodrigues (25:26.98), junior Nathan McLaughlin (25:28.70), and sophomores Tyler Flannery (25:29.85) and Matt Seidel (25:32.09) took spots 25 through 28 respectively.
“Louis had an incredible race today,” Steidl said. “He’s more focused than ever and it showed today. His confidence in his ability and trust in and execution of the race plan made him shine today.”
Steidl continued, “This is the tip of the iceberg from him.”
On the women’s side, of the eight runners, four finished in the top half of competitors. After Rice, senior Taylor de Laveaga (22:10.43), freshman Olivia Stein (22:22.36), and junior Moira O’Connor Lenth (22:32.40) took places 32, 38 and 43, respectively.
Steidl had a difficult time spotlighting the women because of the multiple strong races and definite improvements from last year, but Stein definitely impressed.
“Olivia had a great race, particularly for a freshman running her first 6k,” Steidl said.
So, on to the next meet they go, ready to continue the growth this season already started.
The next meet will also keep the Redhawks close to home, as they were recently invited to compete in the Washington Invitational on Friday, Oct. 2 at Jefferson Park Golf Course. This will be the last meet they compete in before they host the Emerald City Open – the one home meet of the season – on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Lower Woodland Park.
Also to note - coaches Uli Steidl and Caroline Austin ran in the open meets earlier in the day at the Sundodger Invitational. Steidl placed 39th with a time of 25:27.21, and Austin placed 10th with a time of 21:47.29.