Lavin Earns First Win at Central's Cross Country Invitational
September 20, 2003

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 20) -- Seattle Pacific University's Josie Lavin claimed the women's title and led the Falcons to second place overall at the Central Washington Invitational in Rhinehart Park Saturday.

Lavin (Jr., Bremerton, Wa.) got her first career win and led for nearly the entire 5000 meters. She pulled away from Whitworth's Leslie Nelson in the final stages and was clocked in 19 minutes, 22 seconds -- 9 seconds ahead of Nelson.

Tim LeCount (So., Battle Ground, Wa.) was once again the SPU men's top scorer, running a season-best third and covering the 8k trail in 21:22 despite being separated from the pack. Former Central Washington harrier Eric Tollefson defended his title in 20:20.

Seattle Pacific was without an ailing Jamie Witt, who won last week's Saint Martin's Open. But the Falcons got an extra lift from Karen Dickson (Fr., El Dorado Hills, Ca.), who was 12th in 20:30, and Abby Groth (So., Roseburg, Or.), who was 14th in 20:31. Willamette won the women's team crown with 39 points, followed by SPU with 65 and Whitworth with 70.

Willamette also breezed to first in the men's division, with 32 points. Seattle Pacific was fourth with 91. Paul Mach (Sr., Seattle, Wa./King's) was the team's No. 2 scorer, placing 15th in 22:05.

Next Saturday SPU runs the Sundodger Classic at West Seattle's Lincoln Park.

Central Washington Invitational
Women's Team Scores --1-Willamette 39, 2-Seattle Pacific 65, 3-Whitworth 70, 4-Central Washington 82, 5-Whitman 140, 6-Western Washington 141
Top Women's Finishers -- 1-Josie Lavin, SPU, 19:22, 2-Leslie Nelson, Whitworth, 19:31, 3-Laura Mattson, Whitman, 19:34, 4-Dana Rumore, Willamette, 19:41, 5-Kari Holbert, Willamette, 19:50
Men's Team Scores -- 1-Willamette 32, 2-Whitworth 70, 3-Central Washington 88, 4-Seattle Pacific 91, 5-Whitman 112, 6-Western Washington 130
Top Men's Finishers -- 1-Eric Tollefson, unat., 20:20, 2-Jacob Stout, Willamette, 20:40, 3-Tim LeCount, SPU, 21:22, 4-Jesse Stevik, Whitworth, 21:47, 5-Doug Blackburn, Whitworth, 21:48