2013 Lancer Invitational Men's Results
2013 Lancer Invitational Women's Results

Photo Gallery (images by Joel Dignadice)

Riverside, CA – Opening the 2013 season in Rancho Jurupa Park, the Urban Knights competed in the Lancer Invitational on Saturday morning. Both the men's and women's teams finished fourth overall as freshman McKaela Christenson took fourth individually and junior Jack Nevins captured 14th to lead the way for Academy of Art University.

In her first intercollegiate meet to date, Christenson went 14:28.9 on the 4k course, wedging herself in between Biola's second place finisher and Azusa's top performer to serve as the highest finishing Pacific West Conference runner in the meet. The fourth place result was an impressive debut for the freshman. Sophomore Arianna Michaels followed with a 14th place finish and a time of 14:58.2.

"McKaela Christenson really surprised me," associate head coach Torrey Olson said. "She ran with the front of the race until the very end to snag fourth in a very good opening time on a hot course. I am very excited to watch her continue to develop."

Michaels led a group of three Urban Knights who crossed the line in the second half of the top 20. Madeline Dignadice took 17th overall (15:05.6) while Kaelyn Harbison came in at 20th (15:22.8). Kayla Pritchett completed the ART U five with a 33rd place finish (18.30.8).

"Behind McKaela, Arianna, Maddie, and Kaelyn packed up well and came through in a good pack," Coach Olson said. "Kayla completed her first cross country race, and while today's result wasn't what she knows she can do, there are big things in store for her here at ART U."

Nevins' time of 19:46.2 on the men's 6k course was good for 14th overall while Temarius Walker was not far behind his fellow junior. Walker went 19:49.6 to pick up 17th individually and the top two were supported by freshman Austin Esposito in 19th (20:03.1). Freshmen Logan Means (21:06.4) and Nicholas Alexander (25:07.4) finished 26th and 27th respectively.

"The men competed well and established a solid level to improve upon," Coach Olson said. "The group is coming together. I'm excited to see them continue to grow and to add Nicolas Rifflard back in the mix at Stanford."

The men's team champion was host California Baptist though Azusa Pacific's Peter Buschek came in first individually. On the women's side, Biola earned a first place team finish after Lyndee Dawson won the meet and all five BU competitors placed in the top 10.

ART U will be back in action on Sept. 28 when the Urban Knights compete at the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, CA.