Santa Clarita, CA- The cross country team travelled west to compete in the 14^th Annual Master's Invitational hosted at Central Park in Santa Clarita, CA.  The meet featured NAIA, NCAA, and NJCAA schools, and was the first opportunity for the team to race on the course they will compete on for the GSAC Championships in November.

Leading the way for the ladies' team was senior Alison Unruh who finished 38^th overall with a solid early season time of 23:19.8.  Behind her was freshman Piper Shannon (24:06) and sophomore Priscilla Celis-Saldivar who ran a lifetime best of 24:10.8 and a time that was 35 seconds faster than the time she ran on the same course as a freshman which qualified her for the NAIA National Championships.  Running #4 on the team was junior Eva Huff (24:50) while rounding out the scoring was sophomore Alexi Till who battled through a leg injury to run 25:50.

Thoughts from Coach Fahsholz
"Goodness, there are some real mixed feelings about today.  We wanted to run a lot better than we did, but we had some adversity this week that did not help us to run our best.  Alexi came into the race battling an injury and Piper had to fly in late night just to make it to the race at all.  Not having a deep team – it was vital to have them out there even if under not ideal circumstances – and so it is understandable that they weren't overly happy with their results.  Then Alison, being human, had not a bad race, but not her best either.  But then on the other side of our team was a lot to feel good about in the results.  Priscilla and Brennen both had bad races two races two weeks ago – in Brennen's case, the worst of her career – but bounced back today with the best races, so far, of their careers.  Eva, after starting the race slower than we wanted, both listened to her coaches and saw struggling to teammates to muster the effort to run a phenomenal second half.  And then Trinity Ball, who has battled lower leg injures ever since high school, ran in her first race of the season.  Only our team – and swim coach Brad Hering – know the work that went into getting her to the race today.  Her attitude, spirit and work ethic give so much to our team.  Our best is yet to come, and I have a great deal of belief in this team's character and ability!

Event Details
Invitational: Women's 6K
Team Finish: 13^th of 21 Teams
Number of runners: 187
Location: Central Park (Santa Clarita, CA)

GSAC Team Finishes of 21 Teams
4^th The Master's
Team Points - 123
Team Time – 1:54.33
5^th Embry-Riddle
Team Points - 137
Team Time – 1:53.19
13^th Arizona Christian
Team Points - 324
Team Time – 2:01.55
20^th Nevada State
Team Points - 548
Team Time – 2:16.40
21^st Soka
Team Points - 554
Team Time – 2:15.18
- Hope International
Incomplete Team
- OUAZ
Incomplete Team
 
Individual Finish
Alison Unruh
Time – 23:19
Place – 38^th
Piper Shannon
Time – 24:06
Place – 62^nd  
Priscilla Celis-Saldivar
Time – 24:10
Place – 65^th
Eva Huff
Time – 24:50 
Place – 90^th
Alexi Till
Time – 25:29
Place – 112^th
Brennen Stephens
Time – 26:04
Place – 136^th
Trinity Ball
Time – 29:47
Place – 177^th
 
Next On the Schedule
The team will take next weekend off before travelling to Riverside, CA for the Highlander Classic hosted by UC-Riverside.  Start times will depend on whether each team is placed in the Invite or Open Sections.  Men's & Women's Invite begins at 8:00am & 8:40am.  The Men's & Women's Open begins at 9:10am & 9:50am.                                    

Roll Storm!