The Trinity Western women鈥檚 cross country team was led by Alison Jackson, who finished sixth, and the men鈥檚 team was led by Blair Johnston, who finished 19th as the Spartans put together an impressive performance at the Western Washington Invitational on the shores of Lake Padden in Bellingham on Saturday (Oct. 8).

On the women鈥檚 side, Jackson finished the six kilometre event in sixth place in a time of 22:04 but was closely followed by teammate Fiona Benson who finished eighth overall in a time of 22:11. Following Benson for Trinity Western was Marissa Ratzlaff, who finished 33rd amongst scorers in a time of 23:36, Nikki Bell, who finished 48th in 25:13, and April Van Woerde, who finished 61st in 28:15.

Ratzaff, who was the only Spartan to race in this event last year, posted a time that was 58 seconds faster than the time she put up last year.

As a team, the Spartans finished sixth in the nine team event with 156 points. Amongst Canadian universities, Trinity Western was third out of four as they trailed Victoria and Simon Fraser but edged out UBC.

On the men鈥檚 side, Johnston was the first Spartan to cross the line as he finished 19th overall in a time of 32:36 in his first ever 10 kilometre event.

Following Johnston, the Trinity Western men, who had yet to run a 10 kilometre event this year, were led by Jason Carwile, who finished 48th amongst scorers in 34:39, Mihai Prajea, who finished 57th in 35:40, Alex Pchenitchnikov, who finished 58th in 35:45, Andrew Ott, who finished 62nd in 36:09 and Christian Culp, who finished 73rd in 40:59.

Carwile鈥檚 time was 4:10 faster than the time he posted at last year鈥檚 event while Ott stopped the clock 58 seconds sooner than he did last year.

As a team, the Spartans finished ninth in the 11 team event with 244 points.

The Spartans next race is the UBC Invitational at Jericho Beach in Vancouver Oct. 22.