October 19, 2013
‘Cats Race Well in Final Tune-up

ESTACADA, Ore. – In what served as an unofficial preview to the Northwest Conference Cross Country Championships two weeks out, the Linfield women took third while the Wildcat men finished fourth among league squads at the Lewis & Clark Invitational, contested on a beautiful Saturday at McIver State Park.

The Lady 'Cats charge from the line at the L&C Invitational.

Siena Noe paced the Linfield women with a top-10 finish in the six-kilometer course, while Michael O’Neil led the Wildcat men with a 29th-place effort. Noe completed the course in 22 minutes, 52 seconds as the fifth finisher from the Northwest Conference and 10th overall.

Katie Skinner, Madison Trowbridge and Hannah Greider crossed the tape in immediate succession to help Linfield claim places 19-21. Skinner clocked in at 23 minutes, 12 seconds while Trowbridge and Greider registered identical times (23:15). Scoring for the Wildcats for the first time all season was Brooke Niemann. The junior, who continues to battle back from injury, finished 42nd overall in 23 minutes, 50 seconds.

The women's team after the race.

“The ladies raced well overall,” stated associate head coach Greg Mitchell. “A couple of key athletes had off days and we were still in the hunt team-wise which speaks to the team’s depth. I think we’re in good shape heading into the championships.”


Over on the men's side, O'Neil and Alex Mangan posted top-35 finishes. O'Neil, who was 29th overall and eighth among league competitors, completed the eight-kilometer course in 26 minutes, 19 seconds with Mangan two places and three seconds behind. Calvin Howell was the 47th runner to cross the finish line at 26:59. Adrian Clifford and Flint Martino rounded out the scoring for the Wildcat men, finishing 69th (27:42) and 71st (27:45) respectively.

Michael O'Neil and Alex Mangan battle mid-way through the L&C Invitational.