LACEY, Wa. (Sept. 28) --- Seattle Pacific University picked up its first women's cross country victory of the season and and the men, despite missing their top scorer, took second place at the Saint Martin's College Invitational meet on Saturday on the SMC campus.

Nicole Seana (Jr., Carnation, Wa./Kamiakin) was the first of seven Falcons finishing among the top 13. Seana, with her best finish in two years, placed sixth and covered the 5000-meter course in 19 minutes, 3 seconds. Ashlee Vincent of Western Washington won in 18:26.

A pack of SPU harriers took places 8-11 to wrap up the team title by nine points (39-48) over Western. Sarah Kraybill (Sr., Seattle, Wa./Ballard) was eighth in 19:06, followed immediately by Kirsten Bjork (19:07), Ruth Harbaugh (19:08) and Erica Owens (19:13). Coach Doris Heritage lauded her team's overall performance, with nearly every racer improving over their last outing.

Without top scorer Nathanael Castle, who opted to rest this weekend, the men did well. Tim LeCount (Fr., Battle Ground, Wa.) was fourth overall in 26:27. Miguel Galeana, an unattached runner, won the 8000-eter race in a time of 25:01.

Seattle University took the men's title with 33 points, followed by SPU with 61 and Saint Martin's with 75. Ryan Nash (Sr., Spokane, Wa.) finished 11th in 27:21 and all five scorers finished among the top 18.

The Falcons will send a men's team to Willamette while the balance of the team is involved in a dual meet with Western next Saturday near Maple Falls.

Saint Martin's Invitational

Men's team results: 1-Seattle University 33, 2-Seattle Pacific 61, 3-Saint Martin's 75, 4-Highline CC 89, 5-Evergreen 101, 6-Skagit Valley CC 150.
Winner (8k): Miguel Galeana, unat., 25:01.89
SPU Finishers: 4-Tim LeCount, 26:27.36; 11-Ryan Nash, 27:21; 16-Aaron Libadisos, 27:58; 18-Scott Van Hess, 28:01; 19-Paul Mach, 228:02; 38-Tim Marston, 29:49; 52-Tim Reeves, 33:21

Women's team results: 1-Seattle Pacific 39, 2-Western Washington 48, 3-Clark CC 58, 4-Seattle University 122, 5-Central Washington 147, 6-Evergreen 152, 7- Everett CC 163.
Winner: Ashlee Vincent, WWU, 18:26.05
SPU Finishers: 6-Nicole Seana, 19:03; 8-Sarah Kraybill, 19:06; 9-Kirsten Bjork, 19:07; 10-Ruth Harbaugh 19:08; 11-Erica Owens, 19:13; 13-Ruth Hawkinson, 19:17; 14-Josie Lavin, 19:17; 16-Abby Groth, 19:23; 20-Becky Knox, 19:33; 28-Melissa Hogland, 19:51; 35-Katie Brown, 20:39.