Trojans Hit Personal Bests in Largest Meet of the Season

Salem, OR - Over 30 colleges and 750 athletes competed at the George Oja Invitational hosted by Linfield College at Oak Knoll Golf Course in Salem, OR.  This was the largest meet of the season (in terms of total competitors) for the Trojans and an excellent preparation for the final two championship races of the season.  

The women's 6k had 351 runners, with a surprise first place finish from Aluana Carstens of Evergreen State College, outpacing several DI athletes and winning the race with a time of 20:15.2, setting a new course record.  The Trojans continued their impressive performances, highlighted by top EvCC finisher Tegan Pentz who PR'd by 2 minutes and 17 seconds. Lily Rock was 6 seconds behind her PR'ing with a time of 23:38.7 and Reda Long also turned in a personal best of 23:45.9. 

The solid top 3 grouping was backed up by Taya Kilgore and Heidi McKinley who also had personal bests, and scored 625 points placing Everett 3rd among the NWAC schools and ahead of three other four-year colleges.  In fact, all 7 EvCC women's runners would PR, en route to a great race day and solidifying their position as one of the top 3 NWAC schools.

The men's 8k was also a large race with over 400 runners and 32 scoring teams.  Everett placed 4th among the NWAC schools, just edging out Treasure Valley who features one of the league's top performers.  Kenny Udo led the team again placing 44th overall and finishing before a number of DI runners.  He PR'd by 31 seconds and was a part of a dramatic 5 runner finish, outkicking a Spokane runner. 

Charlie Roberts , Hector Mendoza, Luke Taylor, and Isaac Pratt rounded out the team scoring and eight of the ten EvCC runners set personal bests.  Udo remains as one of the top 5 runners in the NWAC (currently 4th) and the team ranks 5th in the NWAC narrowly behind Green River, which will set up what is sure to be a dramatic Northwest Region Championship race next weekend.

The region championship will be held on Saturday October 25th at Lake Wilderness Park in Maple Valley, WA.  The first race is scheduled to begin at 10:00am.