The 'Cats Hit Pre’s Trail
August 21, 2013

The Linfield cross country team headed down I-5 to Eugene for a change to hammer a hard workout on the legendary bark chips of Pre’s Trail.

The women's team pushing the pace on Pre's Trail.

After the tough fartlek, the team was able to soak in the chilly waters of the Willamette River and then head to Track Town Pizza in Eugene.

The men's team working together on Pre's Trail.

“We spend a lot of time during our pre-season camp talking about commitment and hard work as well as touching on being a student of the sport,” stated associate head coach Greg Mitchell. “Heading to Eugene and Pre’s Trail is a natural way of putting classroom theory into practice.”

Taking a team "ice bath" in the Willamette River after the workout.

Wildcats Take the Nike Campus by Storm
August 20, 2013

The Linfield XC team was invited to Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, OR to learn about the heritage of the company as well as gain education regarding the Nike Performance Footwear Testing Program in which they participate.

The athletes enjoy a tour around Nike.

The athletes went on an easy run around campus on the “berm” trail, were given a tour of campus, treated to lunch and educated on the footwear testing program. “I was blown-away by the campus,” stated sophomore Manuel Finley. 

Linfield XC receiving instruction from Nike Footwear Product Testing staff.

  2013 XC Season Off and Running
August 18, 2013

The Wildcats got the new season rolling with a tough tempo out Hill Road. The run started on campus in McMinnville and ended in the little town of Carlton at the community pool 10 hard miles later.

The men's team gets things rolling on Hill Road.

“This was a great fitness barometer for the group,” said associate head coach Greg Mitchell. “The weather was hot. The gravel roads were rough and dusty. The course was tough – I mean it’s called Hill Road for a reason. The coaches and athletes learned a lot about where the team is and who did their summer homework and who didn’t.”

The women's team attacks on the long road to Carlton.

The team was able to enjoy a cool plunge into the Carlton pool after the run as well as refuel with massive quantities of pizza, cookies and Gatorade.