Results

SPOKANE, Wash. --- The Pioneer women's cross country team concluded the 2013 campaign following a 16th place finish at the NCAA Division II West Regionals on Saturday. The West Regional Championships, hosted by Central Washington, totaled 23 teams, including 10 CCAA institutions. The race took place at the Plantes Ferry Athletic Complex in Spokane, Washington.

"Our girls ran their best team race of the year," Pioneer head coach Ralph Jones said. "I'm proud of the way we ran together throughout the race."

Leading the way for the Pioneers was freshman Sarah Perrin, who finished 52nd overall out of 161 total runners. Perrin, the 10th fastest freshman to finish the race, completed the 6k course with a time of 23:28.4. On October 26th at the CCAA Championship meet, Perrin earned Freshman of the Year and All-Conference honors.

"Sarah developed blisters during the race, and competed well to be our top finisher," Jones said. "She's concluding a great freshman season."

Alexa Torres was the second Pioneer to cross the finish line, taking 76th place in 23:57.3. "Alexa ran an amazing race," Jones said. "She is a great competitor, and I'm really proud of her."

Oddessy Tapia, Imani Heath, and Robin McClinton finished 87th, 88th, and 89th, respectively. Tapia had a time of 24:07.9, while Heath crossed the finish line in 24:12.6. "Imani had a good day running," Jones noted. "She pushed the pace in the race." McClinton, the Pioneers' top finisher in the 2012 West Regionals, posted a time of 24:13.6.

"It was very satisfying to see our top 5 runners finish within 60 seconds of each other," Jones added. "If one of our runners would have placed in the top 25, then you're looking at a top 10 finish in today's regionals."

Celina Vera recorded a time of 24:32.2 to finish in 108th place. Julie Scully (24:41.3) concluded the Pioneers' effort with a 117th place finish.

The Pioneers, who totaled 392 points, finished ahead of seven teams including CCAA rivals Cal State San Bernardino and Sonoma State. Alaska-Anchorage claimed the NCAA DII West Region Championship with 76 points, three better than runner-up Chico State.

"Today, we moved up to the middle of the pack after finishing near the bottom last year," Jones said. "I'm happy with the progress of our team, and we'll be better next year."