From Washington University Athletics

The Washington University in St. Louis cross country program placed first and second among the women and men's fields at Lake Breeze Golf Course on Saturday afternoon at Pre-Nationals in Winneconne, Wis.

The No. 2-ranked WashU women took first place out of 52 teams competing with five top-30 finishes individually. The No. 6-ranked Bears men placed second overall out of 50 teams, having their top five finish in the top-36, totaling 97 points. Claiming first on the men's side was No. 1 North Central College with 41 points.

The women placed ahead of 16 top-35 ranked teams as the men finished ahead of 15 top-35 teams.

Women

2. Paige Lawler – 21:31.6

5. Aly Wayne – 21:48.5

11. Sophie Watterson – 22:13.4

23. Lisa Gorham – 22:37.9

29. Gabby McGinn – 22:46.4

45. Katie Snodgrass – 23:05.9

59. Megan Girmscheid – 23:17.4

Junior Paige Lawler was dominant for WashU in her first 6K race of the year, placing second individually with a time of 21:31.6. She steadily climbed the leaderboard, pushing up from 21^st in the opening 600-meters to third after two miles and finally second at the finish.

Graduate Aly Wayne likewise, conserved energy for a push up the board as she placed fifth overall. She crossed the finish line in 21:48.5, while junior Sophie Wattersontook 11^th overall moving up from 51^st at the 600-meter mark. Watterson ended the race in 22:13.4.

Rounding out the Bears top-five running times were senior Lisa Gorham (22:37.9) and freshman Gabby McGinn (22:46.4). Gorham placed 23^rd overall and McGinn was 29^th out of 349 competitors.

Men

9. Brad Hodkinson – 25:19.8

13. David O'Gara – 25:29.0

18. Nick Matteucci – 25:35.0

21. Peter Johnsrud – 25:38.7

36. Chris Blagg – 25:53.6

93. Joe Stover – 26:27.3

Senior Brad Hodkinson and graduate David O'Gara ran as a duo that remained close throughout the majority of the race. The group moved from 44^th and 43^rd at the initial 600-meter marker to top-15 finishes.

Hodkinson posted the Bears fastest time, crossing the end line in 25:19.8 to place ninth overall while O'Gara took 13^th with a time of 25:29.0.

The Bears had a second duo of junior Nick Matteucci and senior Peter Johnsrud. The tandem worked their way up from 57^th and 58^th respectively to top-25 finishes. Matteucci closed out the race with an 18^th place finish and a time of 25:35.0, while Johnsrud placed 21^st in 25:38.7.

Senior Chris Blagg was the final runner to score for the Bears, posting the 36^th fastest time out of 344 runners. He crossed the 8K finish line in 25:53.6.