MONMOUTH, Oreg. - The Saint Martin's University cross country teams are gearing up for their season opener in Monmouth, Oregon, at the Ash Creek Collegiate Meet this Friday, September 8, 2023.
When asked about the upcoming season, Coach Matt Lowe shared his enthusiasm, stating, "Everyone is excited that the season is finally here. It's been long-awaited since the beginning of summer when everyone committed to establishing a solid foundation for race fitness. All the runners had an incredible showing at our 3200m time trial, which serves as a benchmark to gauge the effectiveness of our summer training. The results speak volumes as our teams collectively clocked the fastest times ever run at a time trial. This demonstrates our team's unwavering commitment and motivation to achieve something remarkable this season. Now, they have the chance to apply their efforts from the time trial to a real race situation. Our primary focus is to experience the thrill of cross country racing again and set the stage for a successful season."
Saint Martin's University's teams concluded last year with remarkable achievements, and they aim to replicate their success this year. At the GNAC Championships, both the men's and women's teams made significant strides for SMU. The men's team secured a fifth-place finish, marking the highest team placement since 2011. The team's top five had an impressive average time of 25:33, with a mere 1:35 spread, setting a new program record for the fastest time average.
The women's team also etched their names in program history by finishing as runners-up at the GNAC Championships, marking the first time in the program's history that a team placed in the top three. Their top five achieved an average time of 21:55, with a 1:33 spread, another record-setting accomplishment for the program.
This Friday's meet will feature both men and women student-athletes representing Saint Martin's University:
Men
Women
