Gonzaga University
Erik Anderson/Runner's Soul Invitational
Youngsters Have Strong Day For Bulldog Harriers
9/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Sept. 25, 2010
Complete Results in PDF Format 
SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University's women had seven runners in the top 20 on the way to a second-place finish, and the Bulldog men turned in a strong effort to finish third at the Erik Anderson Invitational Cross Country Meet Saturday at Plantes Ferry in the Spokane Valley.
With Saturday's meet the middle off three straight weekends, Gonzaga University head coach Pat Tyson held out several of his top runners, especially on the women's side. "We'll run the younger ladies and give them a chance to shine," Tyson said heading into the meet.
And shine they did.
Redshirt freshman Emily Thomas paced the women, finishing 10th in 19:23.755 over the 5K course. But she was followed closely by freshman Lara Tuthill 12th in 19:34.541, senior Brittany O'Regan 13th in 19:41.572, sophomore Lauren Bergam 14th in 19:41.776 and freshman Krista Beyer 17th in 20:09.050.
Those five lead Gonzaga to 66 points and second place behind Washington State University with 24. Ruby Roberts of the Cougars won the race in 18:26.708.
Sophomore Jamie Van Lith (20:13.790) finished 19th and redshirt junior Molly Moore (20:15.243) was 20th to rounded out the top 20 placers for the Bulldogs.
Among those sitting out for the Bulldogs were Kayla Lloyd, Brenn Donnelly and Laura Volcheff.
On the men's side, sophomore Patrick Richie was the first Bulldog across the line in 19th in 26:45.415 for the 8K run, Tyson holding veteran Chris Boyle out of the competition. Freshman Robert Walgren turned in another strong performance, finishing 20th in 26:46.479. Senior Matt Bejar was 22nd in 26:50.475, freshman Brent Felnagle was 26th in 26:58.460 and sophomore Christian Burger was 28th in 27:01.850.
That gave the Bulldogs 98 points for third place behind WSU with 19 points and Lewis-Clark State College with 74.
Tyson got a good look at both squads as each gender had 18 varsity runners in addition to several Bulldogs who ran unattached.
Gonzaga will complete its stretch of three meets on consecutive weekends when they compete in the Montana Invitational next Saturday at the University of Montana in Missoula.
