Results

SALEM, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's cross country team is peaking at the right time, with eight Lutes setting personal record times on Saturday at the George Oja Invitational.

The George Oja Invitational is the Lutes' final tune-up race before hosting the 2025 Northwest Conference Championships on Saturday, Nov. 1.
 
Jessalyn Robles led the Lutes, covering the 6,000-meter course at Oak Knoll Golf Course in a personal best time of 24 minutes, 12.57 seconds, placing 171st overall. Mariel Robles was the second Lute in the finisher chute, clocking a PR time of 24:57.67 to place 227th. Piper Gannon was just a few steps back in 229th, finishing in a personal best 25:01.22. 

Natalie Moran-Padilla and Lili Andres rounded out PLU's scoring five, both running personal best times. Moran-Padilla was 235th in 25:06.88 with Andres 308th in 27:22.60.

Sophia Czar (27:32.97), Damaris Ibrahim (28:09.74), and Erika Andres (29:07.07) rounded out the Lute runners, all finishing with 6K personal bests.

"What a great day for the Lutes! To have a meet where 8 women and 8 men set lifetime bests is unprecedented! I think this proves that the work we've been putting in is paying off, and I hope that this inspires confidence in all of the team heading into the conference championships in two weeks," said Head Coach Francis Reynolds.

"I think Jessalyn Robles did a great job stepping up into a leadership role today and being our low stick and I continue to be impressed with Mariel Robles, Piper Gannon, and Natalie Moran-Padilla for working together and helping each other throughout the race. Again, I hope that the team is excited by today's performances and chomping at the bit to get after it at the conference championships!"

PLU finished 28th as a team, racking up 774 points and enjoying a 159-point lead on league rival Linfield University. Division I Boise State University won the team title, scoring 40 points with fellow D1's University of Portland and Eastern Washington University taking the next two spots in the team standings. 
 
The Evergreen State College's Alauna Carstens won the individual title, zipping around the course in 20:15.16. 
 
The Lutes take next weekend off before welcoming the other eight conference institutions to the PLU Meadows Cross Country Course for the 2025 NWC Championships on Nov. 1.