The Point Loma women’s cross country team opened the 2017 season by taking third place at the Biola Invitational with 68 points on Sept. 9.
Hannah Benoit Bucher led the way for the Sea Lions, taking third place with a time of 18:05.11 on the 5k course at Ted Craig Regional Park. She was followed by Alex Hernandez (eighth), Brianna Bartello (13th), Marissa Bartello (24th) and Mackenzie Harder (29th), all of whom scored points for the Sea Lions.
Claremont-Mudd Scripps won the team competition with 32 points. CMS’s Bryn McKillop took home the individual title with a time of 17:48.61. Thoughts from coach Jerry Arvin: “We opened up about as well as we could have considering our health and fitness. I don’t think any of our top 7 were at full-strength. Not sure we could have done better as a team at this point.
“I was really pleased with Jocelyn Duran, Josie Frye, Mackenzie Harder, Brielle Budroe and Alyssa Stromsland. They all ran really good races and ran really well. That was a nice plus with our 7-10 racers. Most ladies had very solid runs.
“We have to increase our fitness and health. There is nothing wrong with our talent.” Top 5 teams
1. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (32 points)
2. Biola (50)
3. Point Loma (68)
4. Azusa Pacific (138)
5. Westmont (177) Top 5 PLNU Individuals
3rd – Hannah Benoit Bucher (18:05.11)
8th – Alex Hernandez (18:19.80)
13th – Brianna Bartello (18:41.88)
24th – Marissa Bartello (19:07.30)
29th – Mackenzie Harder (19:23.75)
News and Notes
> Last season, PLNU placed second at the meet with 59 points;
> Hannah Benoit Bucher has two top 3 finishes at the Biola Invite (second 2016);
> Four of the Sea Lions’ top five scorers were the same both seasons. Only difference was Harder finishing fifth instead of Josie Frye;
> Four PacWest teams participated in the race. PLNU finished ahead of Azusa Pacific and Concordia, but behind Biola;
> 2016 All-PacWest selection Jordan Sienkiewicz (sophomore) did not run for the Sea Lions.
Up Next
One of the most prestigious cross country meets on the West Coast awaits the Sea Lions next Saturday, Sept. 16. PLNU will travel to Seattle to compete in the Sundodger Invitational for the third straight season.
