Mullen third in Western Invite

BELLINGHAM — Marcie Mullen finished third in the women’s race to lead Central Washington to a third-place team finish in the 35th Western Washington University Invitational cross country meet Saturday at Lake Padden Park.

Mullen, a senior from Sedro-Woolley High School, covered the 6-kilometer course in 22 minutes, 38 seconds, just 18 seconds behind runner-up Courtney Olsen of Western Washington. The Vikings’ Sarah Porter was the winner in a time of 21:24.

Central’s men were fourth, with Wes Hargrove’s 29th place the top finish by a Wildcat. John Riak of Saint Martin’s was the men’s winner, covering the 10-kilometer course in 31:44. Western Washington won the team title.

MEN

Team scores: 1, Western Washington 15; 2, Seattle Pacific 68; 3, Seattle Running Club 84; 4, Central Washington 94; 5, British Columbia 105.

Top 5, Central placers (10 kilometers): 1, John Riak (Saint Martin’s) 31:44; 2, Jordan Welling (WWU) 31:45; 3, Bennett Grimes (WWU) 31:48; 4, Sam Alexander (unattatched) 32:21; 5, Blake Medhaug (WWU) 32:31. Also: 29, Wes Hargrove 35:01; 30, Josh Kratzer 35:03; 38, Scott Power 35:36; 46, Andrew Alhajri 36:27; 50, Chris Croteau 37:00; 51, Jeff Knutson 37:54.

WOMEN

Team scores: 1, Western Washington 25, 2, Seattle Pacific 39, 3, Central Washington 73.

Top 5, Central placers (6 kilometers): 1, Sarah Porter (WWU) 21:24; 2, Courtney Olsen (WWU) 22:20; 3, Marcie Mullen (CWU) 22:38; 4, Natty Plunkett (SPU) 22:43; 5, Kate Harline (SPU) 22:47. Also: 17, Adriana Mendoza 24:04; 32, Kelsey Kraft 25:42; 33, Elizabeth Mann 25:47; 39, Shannon Vreeland 26:52; 42, Tanja Owen 27:19.