[ Golden Gater Online - October 14, 1997 ]
Chandra Levy
Staff writer
Hosting their only meet of the season last Saturday, the SF State men's and women's cross country teams pulled together in an effort to prepare for their final meet this Saturday.
The Gator women placed third out of five schools in the 6k, behind Stanford and Humboldt State.
Sophomore Kenna Masuda, adding to an outstanding season, placed first on the team and eighth overall.
Masuda said that she was pleased with her finish and will continue to work hard and try to stay healthy for the upcoming NCAC Championships and NCAA Division II Regional, scheduled for Nov. 1 and Nov. 8.
As far as the team effort, "I think everyone did well, especially in the last meet," Masuda said. "Everyone came together. I think this was the best team effort this season."
Senior Ragga Thordarson also added to her first rate performance on the team by placing second among the Gator women and 10th overall.
In the men's 8k, the Gators placed sixth out of nine teams. UC Berkeley placed first and Stanford placed second.
Sophomore Chuck Wyckoff, who has led the team this season, placed 36th overall and first on the team.
Senior Pete Fain placed 38th overall and second on the team.
Although he has been pleased with the men's performances overall, Wyckoff wasn't happy with his finish on Saturday.
"I've been injured the last week and a half, so I haven't been training," said Wyckoff. "I wanted to be in the top 20."
In preparation for the championship and regional meets, Wyckoff said the team will start tapering and cutting down on mileage.
"We'll use this last race as our tuneup, to gear up," Wyckoff said.
Being the leader of the men's team this season, Wyckoff has tried to keep the team motivated, even though they've been plagued by injuries.
"Being the first man this season, I've really tried to make an impact and get us to stick together," Wyckoff explained.
Although the season is almost over, cross country coach Randi Lydum said the team plans to be competitive and focus on doing the best as a team in preparation for the championship and regional meets.
"I've been pleased with both teams so far," Lydum said. "Every week, half the team has beaten their personal [lifetime] bests."
[ Golden Gater - October 14, 1997 ]