SEATTLE - Azalea Groleau is already in midseason form.
That much became clear when the senior cleared a field of purple shirts Tuesday morning at Magnuson Park, claiming first place in a dual-meet race against Washington.
Groleau led the pace with a time of 18:14.20 in the 5400 meter race – a full 10 seconds in front of a pack of Huskies who all finished with near-identical times. It was business as usual for Groleau, who earned all-WAC honors in 2024 and finished 17th at the NCAA West Regionals for the best Regionals finish in the program’s Division I history.
But the best is still yet to come.
“Azalea possesses a great deal of ambition,” head coach Jordana LeSavage said. “A big part of my job with her is to pull the reins back sometimes. It is a long season ahead, so [Tuesday] was a check-in to see how fitness is coming along. We look to have her perform at her best in November. Same for the rest of the group, too – our goal is to perform to the best of our capabilities when it matters at the end of the season.”
Aside from Groleau, it was an impressive all-around showing from the Redhawks’ women’s and men’s teams to open the season. Diana Camargo Solis finished ninth with a time of 18:53.40, and Lydia Dale was Seattle U’s third finisher with a time of 19:17.30.
On the men’s side, Roman Radecki was Seattle U's first finisher, with a time of 28:03.80 in the 8800 meter race. Dan Barreto was next in line for the Redhawks, with a time of 28:28.80, followed by Aidan Loeffelman with a time of 28:55.20.
“Solid execution by both the men and the women,” LeSavage said. “Amazing conditions reinforced strong efforts for both groups. Overall, I am proud of today’s work.”
The Redhawks got a glimpse into the future of the program Tuesday, as well.
Five newcomers competed, including Radecki, who made his collegiate debut count after his high school career ended without a senior year track season.
“He kind of got a jump start on what college training, and what life was like,” LeSavage said. “The structure of his world has allowed him to come in and make an impact right off the bat, so it’s just a testament to all the work he’s done dating back to the spring.”
For the women, Chloe Thompson was the Redhawks' first freshman finisher, with a time of 20:33.40.
While the men’s and women’s teams each came up short of defeating UW, the potential within the program was clear Tuesday morning, six miles from Seattle U’s campus.
“I try to open everybody’s eyes to realize that the sky’s the limit for each of them, LeSavage said. “I’ve recruited these individuals to Seattle U for a reason, and that’s because I believe they have a unique gift and everyone in this program has something to bring to the table.”
The Redhawks will travel next to Pullman, Wash., for the Cougar Classic on Friday, Sept. 12.
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