Results

INDEPENDENCE, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's cross country team saved its best performance for when it mattered most, collecting six personal bests on Saturday to finish sixth overall as a team at the 2026 Northwest Conference Championships at Oak Knoll Golf Course. 

Ellie Norris led the charge for the Lutes, making her conference meet debut in style, placing 24th overall. Norris sat 36th overall after one kilometer of racing but slowly made a move, moving pass seven competitors over the final kilometer to finish the 6K race in a personal best time of 23 minutes, 20.0 seconds, entering the finisher's chute 16.5 seconds faster than her previous best time.

Jessalyn Robles was the second Lute finisher, placing 34th overall in a personal best effort of 23:51.0. It was the first time Robles cracked 24 minutes, slicing 22 seconds off her previous best time. Younger sister Mariel Robles was close behind in 41st, running a 15-second PR in 24:08.1.

Rachel Rosario collected a 13-second PR, finishing 48th in 24:38.5 with Piper Gannon a few steps behind in 49th, clocking an 11-second personal best in 24:38.5.

Natalie Moran-Padilla recorded a 15-second PR, placing 53rd in 24:51.0 with Sophia Czar finishing 2.7 seconds off her personal best, placing 69th in 26:49.0. 

The Lutes finished sixth in the team standings, scoring 170 points, finishing one point shy of fifth place Pacific University. PLU finished 18 pints ahead of rivals Linfield University while also finishing above Lewis & Clark College and Willamette University.

"Conference championships are so tricky for coaches. It's really tempting for me to fixate on places and lose sight of the tremendous progress that all of the Lutes have made this season. On the women's side, you can't ask more than personal bests from your top six runners. I commend Jess for running a courageous race and Ellie for unleashing a fantastic finishing kick that vaulted her placing. The trio of Rachel, Piper, and Natalie once again raced really well together," said Head Coach Francis Reynolds.

"I'm already looking forward to next year's championships and am excited with the direction this program is headed."

George Fox University won the team title, scoring 30 points with Whitworth University runner-up after scoring 40 points. GFU's Breanna Schmitt won the individual title, finishing in 21:10.5. 

The Lutes are back in action in two weeks, racing at the NCAA Division III West Region Championships in Spokane, Washington.