Saturday, September 7, 2013

‘Cats dominate Bruins

McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Placing all five scoring runners in the top eight on both sides, the Wildcats cruised to a pair of team victories at the Linfield Harrier Classic, contested at Joe Dancer Park on a warm and sunny Saturday morning.

In what amounted to a dual meet between the Wildcats and their Yamhill County rivals from George Fox University, senior Hannah Greider led the Linfield women to a 20-35 win over the Bruins, while the host men rode the 1-2 punch of senior Joe Gladow and freshman Michael O’Neil en route to the 22-36 victory.

Hannah Greider, Katie Skinner, Claire Hann and Madison Trowbridge lead the charge early.

Greider completed the 6,000-meter course in 24 minutes, 28.01 seconds. Linfield rookie Marisa Kume finished third (24:59.57) with seniors Katie Skinner and Claire Hann following close behind in 25:13.83 and 25:21.81, respectively. Junior Madison Trowbridge rounded out the scoring for the Wildcats with a seventh-place finish in 25 minutes, 41.82 seconds.

“I was really happy with the way the team competed,” stated head coach Travis Olson. “It’s difficult to get up for small meets sometimes, but our men and women showed up and took care of business.”

On the men’s side, the senior Gladow (27:12.05) and freshman O’Neil (27:45.58) finished well ahead of George Fox’s No. 1 runner.

Flint Martino was fourth, clocking in at 28 minutes, .64 seconds for the 8,000-meter course. Junior Calvin Howell and freshman Chris Roth were the fourth and fifth runners to complete the four loops for the Wildcats. Howell finished seventh (28:27.42) while Roth took eighth (28:53.62).

Chad Linnerooth, Adrian Clifford and Tyler Griffin lead the chase pack.