September 11, 2005

On Saturday, Sept 3^rd, the Saints harriers competed in the University of Puget Sound Invitational at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, WA with several athletes running the best races of their careers.

The women’s team was led by the 2^nd place finish of Janelle Probst (So., Spokane, WA) covering the women’s 5,000 meter layout in a time of 20:19.  Probst, posting a time 5 seconds faster than her course record set a year ago, was edged by UPS standout Sarah Orzell, NCAA Division III National Qualifier from a season ago, by 18 seconds.  Kaleigh Bishop (So., Stanwood, WA) followed right behind Probst with the best race of her collegiate career finishing with a mark of 20:41.  In her first race as a Saint, Jessica Pendon (Fr., Spanaway, WA) started off her collegiate career with an 11^th  place finish.  The team was completed by Nicole Beatty (Sr., Port Angeles, WA) in 12^th and Katelynn Blume (Jr., Lacey, WA)  in 17^th.

The men’s team was led by John Riak’s (Fr., Lacey, WA) 1^st place finish with a time of 27:01 for the men’s 8,000 meter race, defeating UPS sensation Frank Prince, reigning NCAA III Regional Champion and All-American, by 34 seconds.  Riak was named the Male Runner-of-the-Week in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for his superior performance.  Riak was followed by Robbie Wilbur (Jr., Spanaway, WA) in 7^th, Steven Lalonde (So., Centralia, WA) in 12^th, Seth Woods (Jr., Lacey, WA) in 13^th, Tris O’Bluck  (Jr., Mukawango, WI) in 15^th, Caleb Timmer (Jr., Tacoma, WA) in 18^th, and Tyler Mohoric (So., Centralia, WA) in 29^th.  Wilbur, Lalonde, and Timmer all had their best team finishes (2^nd, 3^rd, and 6^th respectively), with Timmer having his best collegiate cross country race ever.

The team races again Friday, Sept. 16^th in the National Catholic College Championships in North Bend, Indiana, followed by Saint Martin’s only home meet of the year on Saturday, Sept. 24^th on our very own SMU campus.  Be sure to come out and support your Saints’ runners!!!

Men (8,000 Meters): Team Scores – Puget Sound 21, Saint Martin’s 40.  Individuals (8,000 Meters) – 1. John Riak, SMU, 27:01; 7. Robbie Wilbur, SMU, 28:54; 12. Steven Lalonde, SMU, 29:51; 13. Seth Woods, SMU, 30:11; 15. Tris O’Bluck, SMU, 30:25; 18. Caleb Timmer, SMU, 30:38; 29. Tyler Mohoric, SMU, 34:44.  Women (5, 000 Meters): Team Scores – Puget Sound 23, Saint Martin’s 36.  Individuals (5,000 Meters) – 2. Janelle Probst, SMU, 20:19; 3. Kaleigh Bishop, SMU, 20:41; 11. Jessica Pendon, SMU, 22:06; 12. Nicole Beatty, SMU, 22:24; 17. Katelynn Blume, SMU, 25:27.