Linton leads Cougs in season-opening Clash of the Inland Northwest...
COLFAX—Washington State’s CharLee Linton (#10, above/photo courtesy WSU Athletics) finished third in the women’s race, while Gonzaga’s Troy Fraley was second in the season-opening Clash of the Inland Northwest cross country meet at the Colfax Golf Club, involving Gonzaga and Eastern Washington, along with Idaho, Whitworth and Lewis-Clark State.
This meet, traditionally held in Spokane, was moved to Colfax, in order to give host Washington State an opportunity to test out the Colfax Golf Course, which will host the Pac-12 cross country championships at the end of October.
Idaho’s Kinsey Gomez won the women’s 4k race in 13:41, with Sierra Speiker of Idaho, competing unattached second in 13:46, followed by the Cougars’ Linton (13:49) and Devon Bortfeld (13:57). Gonzaga’s Julie Henling was fifth in 13:59.
On the men’s side, Sam Adkin of Lewis-Clark State won the 6k race in 17:36, followed by Gonzaga’s Troy Fraley (17:43), then WSU’s John Whelan in 17:48. Forrest Shaffer, competing unattached, was fourth in 18:01, followed by Gonzaga’s Matthew Critchlow in 18:01.
Eastern Washington’s top finishers were Catie Arrigoni (14:10) in eighth in the women’s race, and Isaac Kitzan (18:53) in 26th in the men’s race.
”This was a little bit of a rust buster (competition) to see where we’re at this time of year and not get too aggressive,” WSU Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Wayne Phipps said. “Last year we had some great early season success but I think we got a little too aggressive a little too early. We’re a little more conservative this time and we executed pretty well. I thought the course was awesome. A ton of work has gone into this and the Colfax Golf Club guys have been fantastic along with Ben Clarke and the WSU facilities guys.”
"We had five guys in the top 10 in an early season 6K tempo workout," Director of Gonzaga Cross Country and Track Pat Tyson said. "I'm pleased with the Men of Gonzaga. Troy ran tough up front and Matt Crichlow led a wave of Blue and White Zag jerseys. It all followed a hard week of training in challenging conditions caused by the horrific fires. This is a good team that beat a very good young Washington State team!"
"Great to get a meet in today," GU women's Head Coach Patty Ley said. "We are platooning our top ladies a bit, and with some having classes today, we left a number at home. That gave some ladies a chance to step up and compete.”
Complete results of the Clash of the Inland Northwest are available below.
NOTE: The sports information offices of Gonzaga University and Washington State University contributed to this report.
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