SPU's Mary Charleson wins Humboldt State Invitational...

In Trinidad, California, Seattle Pacific junior Mary Charleson (left/photo courtesy Seattle Pacific) used a decisive surge with 100 meters remaining to take the victory at the Humboldt State Invitational cross country meet Saturday morning.

Charleston covered the 6-k course that went along Patrick’s Pointe State Park in 21:09, three seconds up on Sonoma State’s Analicia Garcia, and six seconds ahead of Falcon teammate Sarah Macdonald.

The win was the first for Charleson in a college race. It also was her personal-best time on a 6-kilometer course, easily beating the 21:48 she posted in last year's NCAA Division II West Regionals in Monmouth, Oregon.

Perennial West Coast Division II powerhouse Chico State put three runners behind Macdonald to take the team title over the Falcons by a 40-57 count.

Also scoring for the Falcons were Hannah Calvert (21:43) in 11th; Chynna Phan (22:10) in 20th; and Kate Lilly (22:12) in 22nd.

In the men’s 8-k race, William Reyes of Chico State led his squad to a perfect 15 point total, winning in a time of 24:19.

Ben Halladay led the Falcons with a 19th place finish in 25:35, as they finished 6th in the 7-team field with 197 points.

Seattle Pacific’s recap is available here, along with a link to complete results.

WESTERN SWEEPS TEAM TITLES AT CWU INVITE

In Ellensburg, Western Washington swept both the men’s and women’s team titles Saturday at the Central Washington Invitational at Rotary Park.

The WWU men took top team honors with 27 points, placing 4 of 5 scoring runners within the top 7. The Vikings edged Central Washington (29 points) for the victory while Olympic College placed 3rd.

The WWU women scored 23 points to top CWU (35 points) in the two-team women’s field.

Junior Andrew Wise took the men’s team title, covering the 6-k course in 20:19, four seconds ahead of teammate Matthew Lutz.

Josh Boston was Central’s top finisher in third in a time of 20:24.

Elena Gomez of the host Wildcats took the women’s 4-k race in a time of 15:11, 23 seconds ahead of runner-up Lilianna Stelling of Western Washington.

Western’s recap is available here, while Central’s recap is here.

Both schools will be in action next week at the Sundodger Invitational hosted by the University of Washington at Lincoln Park in West Seattle.

PRO ROUNDUP:  GREAT CITY GAMES

In Newcastle/Gateshead, England, Washington State alum Bernard Lagat showed the effects of the long season, as he finished seventh in the mens mile at the Great City Games Saturday afternoon.

Competing over a road course, Lagat finished in a time of 4:08.70, as Great Britain’s Jake Wightman won in 4:05.70.

University of Washington alum Katie Mackey of the Brooks Beasts was third in the women’s road mile in 4:35.96, as Great Britain’s Laura Muir won in 4:33.99.

In the men’s long jump, Washington alum Norris Frederick was fifth with a leap of 23-3.5 (7.10m) as former Olympic champ Greg Rutherford won with a best of 25-1.75 (7.66m).

Complete results of the Great City Games street meet are available here.

NOTE:  The sports information departments of Seattle Pacific, Western Washington, and Central Washington University contributed to this report.