McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University women’s distance track team began the 2010 season at the Linfield Icebreaker this weekend, with five runners taking part in the 5000m race. After a season off studying abroad in Spain, senior
Bethany Howard returned stronger than ever, winning the 5k event and qualifying for the CCC championship.
Howard took first place with a personal record time of 18:48, beating teammate
Brittany Arch by four seconds. Arch took second place at 18:52, also a personal record.
Riley Swanson was close behind in sixth place, setting a new PR with a time of 19:36. Both Arch and Swanson also qualified for the CCC championships.
Head Coach Heike McNeil said, “The ladies really showed up with their race faces on today. Having three runners place in the top six, and without our top runner [Stephanie Hescock, injured], showed that these girls are going to do a lot this season.”
Also running the 5k event for the first time, and establishing personal records, were freshmen
Sierra Schorer Noll (22:24, 9th place) and
Heather Bush (22:05, 16th).