October 12, 2013
Wildcat Women Claim Title at GFU Invitational

BROOKS, Ore. – Led by a second-place finish from Hannah Greider, the Linfield women notched their second team victory of the season, edging Northwest University by just two points at the George Fox Invitational, held Saturday morning at Willamette Mission State Park.

All five scoring Wildcats placed in the top 15, helping Linfield to a meet-low 44 total points. The senior captain completed the five-kilometer course in 18:40, exactly 10 seconds and two places ahead of the Wildcats' No. 2 runner, Siena Noe.

Madison Trowbridge finished just outside the top 10 with an 11th-place effort (19:18) while Katie Skinner was 13th in 19:22. Coming in just ahead of Northwest University's fifth runner, Marisa Kume, secured the team victory for the Wildcats with her 14th-place finish (19:32).

“I asked the ladies to pack up and work together through the first mile,” stated associate head coach Greg Mitchell. “It ended up working out quite well for them. If they can do that at the conference meet, good things will come.”

Katie Higinbotham (#72) and Shaylin Curtis work together mid-race.

In the men's 8K, Joe Gladow finished as the highest Division III competitor – and fourth overall – with a time of 25 minutes, 42 seconds. Linfield's top five placed in the top 25, lifting the Wildcats to third place in the team standings. “That’s the best my legs have felt this season,” stated Gladow. “Things are coming around at the right time.”

Alex Mangan came in second for Linfield, which totaled 72 points to outdistance fellow Northwest Conference squad George Fox (83). The sophomore was 14th overall in 26:32. Michael O'Neil and Calvin Howell finished back-to-back in 16th and 17th places, respectively. O'Neil clocked in at 26:37 while Howell came in at 26:43. Adrian Clifford took 24th in 27 minutes, 8 seconds.

Alex Mangan (#57) leads Calvin Howell and Michael O'Neil toward the finish line.