TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's and women's cross country teams have high expectations heading into the 2022 season, both looking to build off the success of last fall.
 
For the men, it's looking to improve around the margins on a team that placed one point behind George Fox University at the Northwest Conference Championships, securing a top two finish for the fifth straight season. For the women, it's looking to improve from last fall's fourth place finish at the NWC meet, the program's highest showing since the 2001 campaign.
 
On the men's side, the Lutes have an experienced team that returns three of their four All-Conference runners from a season ago.
 
"Obviously last year was a really strong year for the team. To bring everybody back from the roster but one is unique and it's exciting given how strong the team was last year," said Head Coach Adam Frye.
 
"Our expectation this fall is that we can be an even better team than last year and if that's the case we will be really competitive within the conference and the region."
 
Leading the way will be reigning NWC Champion and All-Region runner Ryan Stracke. The senior edged out the field by over two seconds at the conference meet before turning in a solid showing in track & field, placing runner-up in both the 1,500-meters and 10,000-meters at the NWC meet before placing 11th in the 5,000-meters at the NCAA Division III Championships.
 
"I think Ryan obviously had a great season last fall. Conference champion and then you could see the continued progression for him setting two school records and taking 11th at nationals in the 5K during the track season."
 
Also returning for the Lutes are All-Conference selections Owen Ladinig (ninth), and Trey Robak (14th).
 
A senior heavy squad, the Lutes have six on the squad this fall. In addition to Stracke and Robak, the Lutes boast seniors Erick Arcos, Stefans Lusis, Jonah Maier, and Daniel Samson. Of the six, three are taking advantage of the plus year as a fifth-year senior.
 
"Having fifth years Eric, Danny, and Trey back is a huge advantage from a team culture perspective. They have continuity and have established a really strong culture over the last five years. Just having that leadership and experience puts me at ease as a coach and makes my job easier. They've also shown up for this extra season fit and ready to have their best seasons ever."
 
Not to be overlooked is a pair of sophomores that return after a great first year in the black and gold.
 
"We had a trio of first years that were varsity runners for us last year. And Owen, Logan Werner, and Samuel Zielke will all be important runners for us this fall. Logan really looks to be taking his running to the next level, building off a great track season."
 
Also in the fray will be a trio of first-years, including Sacramento, California native Kai Sorensen.
 
"Kai is a first year that was a strong XC runner and put up a great 1,600 time in the spring. He looks like he could be a contributor and I'm excited to see how Kai and the rest of the first-years develop."
 
Small but mighty, the tight nit women's team is looking to improve on last year's conference finish.
 
"We have every reason to think we can be a stronger team this fall and build on the momentum we've established. Having Sarah join us again for this season definitely is exciting for the team and looking forward to having her back to help lead the charge up front this fall."
 
PLU's quest to improve will be anchored by four seniors. Joan Park is back for a fifth year and will look for an encore after earning All-NWC and All-Region accolades last fall. Rejoining the team will be Sarah Paquet. Paquet was third at the NWC Championships in 2019 before transferring to Rocky Mountain College last fall. Now back in a Lute jersey, Paquet will look to replicate that success of 2019 that also saw her place 15th at the West Region Championships.
 
Joining Park as a fifth year is Alexia Sioda while Sulin Degollado returns as a senior, having netted top 15 finishes at the NWC Championships in both 2019 and 2021.
 
"Super grateful to have Joan and Alexia back for an extra season. Just that leadership and performance they can bring to the team. Joan had an incredible year last year in both cross country and in the spring track season. We definitely saw some great racing from Alexia in the track season and know that she's ready for her best cross country season yet."
 
Zoey Diviney gears up for her first XC season in Luteville after transferring in prior to the spring track season while Victoria Lindley and Annika Deazley gear up for year two for PLU.
 
"Zoey joined us for the track season, transferring in at semester last spring. She showed up fit and ready to be an important part of our team this fall. Annika had a strong first season for us last year and definitely put in the work over the summer to be ready for a great second year."
 
The newcomer of the group for the women is Adalia Olmos coming from El Paso, Texas.
 
"We're excited for Adalia to join us. She brings a passion for the sport and seems to be meshing with the group well so far. Excited to see what she can do racing a new distance in cross country of 6K."
 
With a roster of eight, Frye knows the importance of having a great team culture.
 
"Team chemistry is always really important and with a smaller roster even more so. I think having our focus always be creating a positive, welcoming, inclusive environment I think sets us up well to have a strong team environment. I really like what I've seen in preseason camp in terms of the team culture and chemistry."
  
For Frye, this will be the first season being able to focus solely on cross country after relinquishing the role of track & field coach in August.
 
"Stepping away from track & field was definitely a tough decision but I'm very excited to be focusing on the cross country program year round. In the past I had to get track & field season started before cross country season was even over, so to just be able to put all my time and energy into cross country until the end of the season and beyond I think is going to be awesome for myself and the team."
 
The Lutes will run in four races prior to the NWC Championships on Oct. 29 in Hillsboro, Oregon. That starts on Saturday with the Lutes at the Puget Sound Invitational.
 
"On Saturday our focus is really working together with teammates, having fun running a cross country race again. It's been kind of a tradition for us and a fun way to open the season in a low-key local meet. From there we will up the intensity and effort as the season progresses with the goal of running our best races at the conference and region championships."