Complete results
        PHOTO GALLERY

SEATTLE – First, Katie Morris and Katie Thralls found each other on the cross country course.
 
Then, they found their way into the top 10 – as did teammate Robyn Zeidler – on a record-setting day for the Seattle Pacific women at the 20^th annual Sundodger Invitational cross country meet.
 
SPU freshman Morris ran to a sixth-place finish, and senior XC newcomer Thralls was right behind in seventh on Saturday morning, leading the Falcons to an 88-point total and third place in the Open Division race at Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
 
The 88 points shattered the school-record low total of 143, which was set in 2001 and matched in 2007. The only team that finished higher in the standings was the second-place 2006 squad that was led by future three-time NCAA champion Jessica Pixler.
 





“This was a huge test for us. We really can see where we are in the GNAC and the region, and gauge off of it and build off of this confidence,” said Thralls (Livermore, Calif.). “This will be a huge confidence builder throughout the rest of the season.
 
Added head coach Erika Daligcon, “To have a nice, strong finish was really exciting. It's going to be fun to see how things unfold over the next few weeks.”
 
The only teams ahead of Seattle Pacific in the standings were winner Lewis & Clark (62) and second-place Everett Community College (67).  Everett was the only team to match SPU with three in the top 10.
 
Among their Great Northwest Athletic Conference rivals, Western Washington was sixth (203), Western Oregon seventh (214), Central Washington eighth (219) and Northwest Nazarene 10^th (253).
 
From the start, Morris and Thralls were near the front of the 213-runner pack, but weren't yet side-by-side. But by 800-meter mark of the 6-kilometer (3.72-mile) race in practically perfect conditions (sunny with temperatures in the upper 50s), they were together, running 12^th and 13^th. A mile later, they were up to sixth and seventh, and that's where the finished. Morris came across the line in 22 minutes, 27 seconds; Thralls finished in 22:30.
 
Both of those times were faster than the fastest Falcon in 2011, when now-graduated Natty Plunkett placed 14^th in 22:35.
 
“Taking off (from the starting line) was a little crazy, because we all got separated right at the beginning,” said Morris (Spokane, Wash. / Shadle Park HS). “But as soon as Katie came up, we worked together the whole way.”
 
Said Daligcon, “That's what coaches love to see. Some things, you can coach, but the competitive drive has to come from within. So when you see that, along with working on race strategy and a few technique things, when it comes together, that's really exciting.”
 
SPU sophomore Zeidler (Plymouth, Minn.) was running in the 30s through the early portion of the race. But as has become her style, she steadily picked off runners in front of her until she too was in the top 10, coming across the line in 22:41. It was her first Sundodger, injuries having kept her on the sidelines in 2010 and 2011.
 
Freshman Lynelle Decker (Vancouver, Wash. / Mountain View HS) scored at No. 4 for SPU and was 32^nd overall in 23:21; and sophomore Jasmine Johnson (Federal Way, Wash. / Federal Way HS) rounded out the scoring, placing 42^nd overall in 23:32.
 
 
NCAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Sundodger Invitational
Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012
6 kilometers at Lincoln Park / Seattle, Wash.
 
Team scores – 1, Lewis & Clark 62; 2, Everett CC 67; 3, Seattle Pacific 88; 4, Linfield 133; 5, Whitman 176; 6, Western Washington 203; 7, Western Oregon 214; 8, Central Washington 219; 9, Whitworth 242; 10, Northwest Nazarene 253; 11, Northwest University 290; 12, Puget Sound 321; 13, Corban 326; 14, Pacific (Ore.) 367; 15, Seattle University 375; 16, Pacific Lutheran 426; 17, Trinity Western 449; 18, Saint Martin's 506; 19, Green River CC 600.
 
Top 10 – 1, Emily Thomas (L&C) 21:50; 2, Marlene Farrell (Seattle Running Club) 22:03; 3, Katelyn Steen (WWU) 22:09; 4, Fiona Benson (TWU) 22:17; 5, Katie Strong (Evt) 22:23; 6, Katie Morris (SPU) 22:27; 7, Katie Thralls (SPU) 22:30; 8, Marren Haneberg (Evt) 22:35; 9, Catie Arrigoni (Evt) 22:38; 10, Robyn Zeidler (SPU) 22:41. Other SPU placers – 32, Lynelle Decker 23:21; 42, Jasmine Johnson 23:32; 59, Anna Patti 23:51; 78, Josie Becker 24:11; 130, Aimee Christensen 24:55; 136, Elizabeth Doe 25:02.