Glendale, AZ- The Firestorm Cross Country team travelled west over Interstate 10 for a critical matchup on Saturday featuring many of the best teams in the NAIA, and particularly across the west region.  The meet, hosted at Central Park in Santa Clarita, is where the GSAC Cross Country Championships will be hosted on Friday November 7^th.  

The Firestorm women were led once again by the duo of senior Allena Fugatt and freshman Eva Huff. Fugatt ran a season best time of 23:40 to finish 66^th out of 230 runners, and Huff – running in her first career 6K ran 24:50 to place 118^th.  

Head Coach Brent Fahsholz said, "Allena and Eva have been so consistent for us this season.  Consistent in their attitudes and efforts for sure, but also in executing sound racing plans which allow them to finish strong over the final 1200 meters of their races.  Running later in the morning, conditions were more difficult for the ladies than the men as temperatures really started to soar, but these two ladies ran smart early which allowed them to be tough when conditions worsened."

Also running in her first career 6k was freshman Priscilla Celis-Saldivar who was the third Firestorm to cross the finish line running a time of 25:11 and finishing 133^rd overall.  Rounding out the top five was junior Kaesha Guillaume who ran 25:24, and sophomore Madeline Davis who ran 27:44.

Said Coach Fahsholz, "It was a tough day for Kaesha and Maddie who were both fighting off colds and allergies which the dustiness of the course did not help.  We have talked as a team about stewarding the moments God gives us, and running for something outside ourselves, and though neither will be happy with their time or place – they did just that. This was a character race they can build off for Riverside in a couple weeks where they will have the opportunity to put together the complete package.  I was impressed by the competitive spirit Priscilla brought to her first 6k.  As she familiarizes herself with the race distance, she will continue to get stronger, and be one of the top runners in the GSAC."

Also competing for the Firestorm women was senior Holley Nichols who ran 28:01 and junior Iyannah Tolliver who ran 31:53.
Coach Fahsholz concluded, "Both Holley and Iyannah have a lot on their plates right now, and so again – stewardship of the day and stewardship of the energies we have to offer – are critical mindsets for them right now, and I was pleased to see them put that mindset forward today and take steps in the right direction.  Both are in position to have their best races at the end of the season."

Event Details

• The Master's Invitational
• Team Finish: 20^th / 22
• Team Time: 2:06.49
• Number of runners: 230
• Location: Santa Clarita, CA

Individual Finish

• Allena Fugatt: 23:40
• Eva Huff: 24:50
• Priscilla Celis-Saldivar: 25:11
• Kaesha Guillaume: 25:24
• Madeline Davis: 27:44
• Holley Nichols: 28:01
• Iyannah Tolliver: 31:53

Next On the Schedule
Saturday October 19^th the team will travel to Riverside, CA to compete in The Highlander Invitational at the UC-Riverside Ag-Ops Course.  Racing order will flip for this weekend, and Women's 6K will start first at 8am followed by the Men's 8K which will begin at 8:35am.

Roll Storm!