Arizona Christian University officially began its women's cross country program with its first meet ever at the University of Redlands (Calif.) Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 3. ACU runs next at the Westmont College Invitational in Santa Barbara, Calif, Saturday, Sept. 17.
No team scores were recorded, and 64 runners finished the 4500-meter course (approximately 2.8 miles), which included the Redlands campus quad and nearby Sylvan Park. Biola University placed nine runners among the first 10 finishers and 11 among the top 20, including race winner Nychele Fischetti, who broke the tape in 17:03.17, just four seconds ahead of teammate Alexandra Sciarra who crossed the line in 17:07.04. Just 41 seconds separated the top six Biola finishers, and 56 seconds separated the top nine finishers in the race.
Coached by former Washington High School (Phoenix) and Azusa Pacific University distance ace, Caleb Lynch, four Arizona Christian runners finished among places 39 through 45, with just less than a minute separating the four. All six of ACU's runners made their collegiate debuts in the race, including a pair of former high school teammates, freshmen Elizabeth Godfrey (Portland, Ore.) and Chelsea Carson (Hillsboro, Ore.), who both attended Faith Bible High School in Portland, Oregon. Godfrey placed 39th with a time of 21:42.99, and Carson followed in 41st place with a time of 21:57.13.
Freshman Emma Vanderzee (Peoria, Ariz./Centennial H.S.) debuted with a time of 22:10.15, good for 43rd position. Sophomore Natalie McIntyre (Casa Grande, Ariz./Home Schooled) toured the course in 22:10.15, placing 45th, and senior Amy Murphy (Peoria, Ariz./Sunrise Mountain H.S.), who transferred to ACU this season from Calvary Chapel Bible College in California, placed 48th in 24:02.89, in her first collegiate meet. Freshman Allison McGlaughlin (Boring, Ore./Home Schooled) finished 52nd in 24:42.40.
