Concordia Finishes 2nd, Advances to NAIA Nationals

Westmont, the sixth-ranked women’s cross-country team in the NAIA, beat No. 5 Concordia at the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships by eight points--the closest margin in the event’s six-year history--Saturday at La Mirada Regional Park.

Concordia sophomore Rachel Lafady finished third in 18 minutes 44 seconds over the five-kilometer course and sophomore Tricia Mattson was fifth in 18:48 for the Eagles, who had 41 points and a second-place finish--the highest in school history.

The Eagles will still receive an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championships Nov. 21 in Kenosha, Wis.

Westmont sophomore Autumn Glynn won in 18:26 and teammate Annaka Gustafson finished second in 18:32 to help Westmont win with 33 points. Westmont had four runners finish seventh or better and won its fourth consecutive title.

Concordia freshmen Renee Collins (19:00) and Cara Rumble (19:03) finished eighth and ninth and sophomore Christy Ide was 16th (19:29).

Southern California College’s Maribel Delgado (19:40) and Beth Weidler (19:41) finished 19th and 20th. The Vanguards were seventh with 176 points.

In the men’s race, Ricky Etheridge won in 25:59 over eight kilometers to help Cal Baptist, ranked 10th, win the title with 35 points.

Biola, ranked 20th, was second with 60 points and 18th-ranked Westmont was third with 88 points.

Unranked Concordia finished fourth with 89 points. Freshman Matt Cozart qualified for the NAIA meet as an individual, finishing 10th in 27:17.

Concordia’s Chris Duelen was 15th in 27:29, and Chris Laman (28:00), Fabio Mathias (28:05) and Brandon Grady (28:07) finished 22nd-24th for the Eagles.