Vikings easily sweep field at Saint Martin's Invitational...
LACEY--Western Washington's nationally-ranked cross country teams (above/photo courtesy Western Washington University) easily swept the team titles at the Saint Martin's University Cross Country Invitational at the school's new campus cross country course Saturday, scoring a perfect 15 points.
In both team races, the host Saints were second, with Trinity Lutheran third.
Western entered the SMU Invite ranked #19 on the women's side and #20 on the men's side in the latest USTFCCCA national poll.
The Vikings' Nathan Richards took the men's 8-kilometer run in 26:22, followed closely by Andrew Wise in 26:29 and Isaac Griffith in 26:30. Western put eight runners across the line before Durante Rodriguez of Skagit Valley CC broke up the Viking streak.
Frank Krause was host Saint Martin's top finisher in 12th in 26:49.
WWU's All-American Katelyn Steen, the GNAC athlete of the week for her performance at last week's Sundodger Invite at Lincoln Park in Seattle, was the women's individual champion, finishing the 5-kilometer distance in 18:07. That was nearly a minute faster than teammate Taylor Guenther, who was second in 18:58.
The Vikings put 13 runners across the line before Yadira Lopez of Trinity Lutheran crossed to stop the Viking streak.
Megan Teigen was the Saints' top finisher in 15th in 20:19.
NOTE: The sports information offices of Saint Martin's and Western Washington contributed to this report.
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