Results

LAKEWOOD, Wash. - Maddie Mitchell made her collegiate debut in style, finishing 15th overall to pace the Pacific Lutheran University women's cross country team at the season opening Puget Sound Invitational on Saturday at Fort Steilacoom Park.

"It was a perfect morning for busting the rust on the cross country season! Even though the races were under the normal distances, I wanted to see how the runners competed and where they were in their fitness coming off of summer training," said Head Coach Francis Reynolds.

"The women's team also showed strong pack running. It was great to see Lutes moving up in the race together. I am encouraged by the performances today and am confident that with three weeks of solid training, we'll be ready to move up in race distance at the PLU Invitational on September 20."

Mitchell traversed the 5,000-meter layout in 20 minutes, 49.8 seconds to finish 15th overall while Jessalyn Robles was three spots back in 18th in 21:00.6. PLU's next six runners all finished within a minute of each other with Rachel Rosario leading the pack with a 23rd place showing in 21:34.6. Natalie Moran-Padilla was the next competitor in the finish line chute, placing 24th in 21:34.6 with Mariel Robles the fifth Lute inside the Top 25, snagging 25th overall in 21:48.3.
 
Piper Gannon was 28th in 22:14.7 while Adalia Olmos and Cassidy Kauppila finished in 29th and 30th, respectively with time of 22:28.1 and 22:30.4.

The Lutes racked up 77 points in the team standings, finishing third overall and enjoying a six-point buffer on in-state rival The Evergreen State College. University of Puget Sound won the meet, finishing with 17 points after boasting the race's top four finishers including individual champion Emily Moore who finished in 19:27.4.

The Lutes are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 20, hosting the PLU Invitational.