SEATTLE, Wash. – The Linfield cross country programs got an early-season test competing at the Sundodger Invitational, hosted by the University Washington, at Lincoln Park Saturday morning.

Mimi Seeley (Jr., Redmond, Ore.) was the top finisher for the Linfield women, taking 26th place in a time of 22:55.91. She finished fifth among Northwest Conference runners and was edged at the finish line by Whitworth’s Joy Shufelt (23:55.54).

Placing second for the Wildcats was Shanna Peaden, the 29th woman to complete the six-kilometer course in 23 minutes, 58.52 seconds. She was sixth among NWC competitors. Nelly Evans was the No. 3 Linfield runner, placing 38th in a time of 23:10.32.

As a team, the Wildcat women placed fifth among 17 squads with 178 points and a total time of 1:56:21.70. Whitman was the top Northwest Conference squad, finishing second overall.

Maria Bernard of British Columbia took home individual honors after finishing the course in 21 minutes, 41 seconds. British Columbia also brought home team honors.

For the men, Scott Gage finished the eight-kilometer fastest among Linfield competitors in a time of 25 minutes, 31.27 seconds. He took 26th place overall, and was the second runner from the Northwest Conference to cross the tape. He completed the course eight slots and about six seconds behind Whitworth’s Trevor Berrian.

Rounding out the top three for Linfield were Arian Anderson, who finished 34th (25:38.68), and Joe Gladow (Jr., Shoreline, Wash.) in 36th place (25:41.21).

The Linfield men took seventh among 21 squads, just ahead of Whitworth. The Wildcats recorded a total time of 2:09:34.94 to the Pirates’ 2:09:47.51.

Individual honors went to Seth Bridges of Northwest University, who won the race by nearly eight seconds (24:19.56). San Francisco State was the team champion, placing five runners in the top 20.

NEXT: The Wildcats host the Linfield Preview Saturday at Willamette Mission State Park in Brooks, Ore., beginning at 10 a.m.