ELLENSBURG – The Pacific Lutheran cross country teams returned to action this weekend, running at the Central Washington Invitational Saturday afternoon.

On the women's side, the Lutes placed third in the team standings with 103 points, finishing behind meet host Central Washington (19 points) and Western Washington (35) and just ahead of Treasure Valley Community College (116) and Trinity Lutheran (119).

Shailee R. Woodard was the Lutes' top finisher, placing 20th with a time of 16:37. Four more Lutes finished in the top 30, as Sara Newman took 27th (17:30), followed by Mekenzie Voellger (28th, 17:50), Amanda Seely (29th, 17:51) and Eyerusalem Betemariam (30th, 17:55) in the women's 4k race.

The men ran a 6k, with the Lutes finishing sixth in the team standings. Central Washington won the meet with 37 points, followed by Western Washington (37), Trinity Lutheran (102), Treasure Valley Community College (111), Highline Community College (137), PLU (165), Green River Community College (167) and a CWU alum team (211).

Ethan Smith was PLU's top male finisher with a time of 21:23 to tie for 29th place. Charles Mogen placed 39th (21:42), while Egan Dunning (49th, 21:59) and Brendon Bonnell (50th, 22:02) also finished in the top 50.

The Lutes return to action next weekend, heading to Seattle for the Sundodger Invitational on Sept. 20.