2010 WWU Cross Country Classic Men's Team Results
2010 WWU Cross Country Classic Men's Individual Results

2010 WWU Cross Country Classic Women's Team Results
2010 WWU Cross Country Classic Women's Individual Results

Bellingham, WA – On Saturday morning, Academy of Art University cross country competed in the 2010 Western Washington University Cross Country Classic, the team's last meet before the Pacific West Conference Championships on Nov. 6. At Lake Padden Park, the ART U men's squad finished 4th overall on its first 10k in program history and was led by junior Amos Maru who placed 4th overall. The women's team took 8th overall with senior Irinel Zamfir's 34th result pacing the pack.

“Since it was the first 10k ever for the men, we wanted them to preview what will be coming next season at Regionals,” Assistant Coach Anne Ricketts said. “It was a good experience and though it was a hard course with hills, it was a true cross country course on a beautiful Fall day. Everyone held it together and they all had a good race.”

Going the extra distance on a hard-pack gravel footing throughout, Maru crossed the line in 4th place with a time of 31:30.7. He finished only seconds behind the top runner from #11 Western Washington. As has been the running theme of this season, junior Daveson Marindich snatched 6th place, sporting a 31:44.2 mark right with Maru and the front group.

“For Amos and Daveson, we set goal times for them and each hit it,” Coach Ricketts said. “Both looked really comfortable so I was very happy about that. Also, Simon ran his first race of the year and though he is still recovering, he ran well.”

Junior Simon Mutai crossed as the third Urban Knights finisher in 43rd overall among four-year runners. Coming back off an injury, his time of 34:54.9 was only tenths of a second beyond another Western Washington competitor and ahead of two runners from Humboldt State. Senior Geoffrey Cheruiyot, who served as the fourth ART U finisher, turned in a 49th place performance and a mark of 35:19.7. Also putting in a valiant effort in only his second race since returning from injury, junior Shawn Daut took home 54th place (35:43.9) on the 10k course.

“It was definitely nice to get Simon and Shawn back to a level where they can be competitive and run well,” Head Coach Charles Ryan said. “That's the biggest story for this weekend. Shawn is our captain and he as well as Simon had strong performances to help close the gap between the top two and the others. Amos and Daveson both had top performances again by being in the top seven against strong competition on a beautiful course so it was very good.”

The Academy of Art University men's cross country team placed 4th among four-year schools with an average time of 33:50.6. They were well ahead of several other Division II institutions including Saint Martin's, Seattle Pacific, and Central Washington. Overall, the 10k race was won by Marko Cheseto who propelled Alaska Anchorage to first in the team competition.


In the Urban Knight women's race, Zamfir returned from a sickness that kept her out last weekend to lead the team with her career best time on a 6k course (24:30.7). Zamfir's 34th individual placement put her ahead of competitors from Humboldt State and Western Washington. Finishing second for ART U, freshman Kylie Long took 54th place with a time of 25:47.9. Long was just behind a runner from Seattle Pacific and ahead of a group from Saint Martin's. Academy of Art University was also without junior Cassandra Schumacher who sat out this final tune up before the conference championships.

“We held Cassandra out, but it's not a big deal and was only for precautionary reasons,” Coach Ryan said. “Irinel, Kylie, and Stacey all ran well. Kendall Long will not be running in the conference meet due to injury so the rest of girls are going to have to step up. I believe it is a much stronger team than last year. Coach Ricketts has gotten them to compete and run well and they definitely have a chance to be in the top three as a team at the conference meet.”

Junior Leticia Saldaña crossed the line in 62nd place among countable runners and a time of 26:21.3. Close behind her, junior captain Stacey Toth captured 65th overall and turned in a 26:27.7 mark. The final Urban Knights finisher was senior Monica Anguiano who took 83rd and secured a time of 29:34.5.

“We had done 6k before so while it was a tough course, everyone looked pretty good,” Coach Ricketts said. “Irinel was back and she PRed for the last two years. Kylie looks ready to run fast and then Stacey, Leti, and Monica really helped out. Cassandra was out and we knew that not having her run would hurt our team score, but we're really focusing on conference. The girls were right in the mix so I was very proud of them. I think everyone is in a good place to run fast at conference.”

In the team competition, ART U finished 8th overall behind Northwest University and Alaska Fairbanks. The Knights had an average time of 26:32.4 as a squad. #4 Alaska Anchorage was first in terms of overall team scores though Sarah Porter of Western Washington won the individual race.

“These courses today were longer so I'll be happy seeing them return to a shorter course at conference,” Coach Ryan said. “The course took its toll on both teams, but they still competed well. Western Washington has a great team and they did an amazing job putting on the meet.”

The Urban Knight cross country teams now have two weeks before their final competition of the season: the PacWest Conference Championships. Held in Hawaii and hosted by Chaminade this year, the championship races will take place on Nov. 6.

“The teams are focusing on conference these next two weeks,” Coach Ryan said. “They have had weeks and months to prepare with PRs and meets, but now everyone needs to turn their focus to the team competition. It is a strong group going in and it will be good to see what they do.”