SEATTLE – (Nov. 9) The Seattle U men’s and women’s cross country teams travel to Sacramento, Calif. this week to compete in the NCAA West Regional meet.
This year’s Regionals are hosted by Sacramento State, and will take place on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Haggin Oaks Golf Course. The women’s race starts at 11 a.m., and the men’s race will follow at 12 p.m. Meet information, including live results, can be found on the Meet Homepage.
The West Region is known for being a tough group, with some of the best teams in the country competing.
Head coach Trisha Steidl sees this as valuable for her team to go up against.
“The West Regional meet is so much more competitive,” Steidl said. “It’s a great opportunity for our team to gain experience…and compete against high caliber competition.”
Last year, both the men’s and women’s teams finished 22nd at the West Regional.
Steidl said her “big picture” goal for the program is for both teams to finish in the Top 15, which, in the region, means doing really well. Going into Friday, Steidl wants to see both teams at least in the Top 20.
With 39 women’s teams and 31 men’s teams entered, that won’t come easy.
“(Finishing Top 20) would be substantial,” Steidl said. “It would be a pretty big deal for our program.”
Seven women and seven men will represent Seattle U in Sacramento to chase a Top 20 finish.
On the women’s side: Johanna Erickson, Shannan Higgins, Anastasia Honea, Rebecca Lassere, Moira O’Connor Lenth, Lila Rice, and Olivia Stein. Siobhan Rubio is the alternate.
On the men’s side: Eli Boudouris, Tyler Flannery, Jacques Hebert, Nathan McLaughlin, Ben Monk, Matthew Seidel, and Chay Weaver. Collin Olson is the alternate.
At a meet of this level, every student-athlete will count in order to score low enough to finish in the top.
Again, it comes down to grit. Steidl wants to see her team push, and have the mindset of the team-finish. She said that will include being honest with themselves throughout the race.
“You will know if you gave everything,” Steidl said. “It’s about finding what motivates you to dig deep.”
So, the team will dig to prove themselves in a highly competitive region. It’s the meet they work up to all season. The meet they keep one eye on through tough training days.
“It’s definitely not just another meet,” Steidl said. “This is our biggest meet of the season. It’s a competitive field. We’re ready to go.”