PacWest Release #1

Phoenix, AZ -- Following a stellar collegiate debut at the California Baptist Lancer Invitational, freshman McKaela Christenson was chosen as the Pacific West Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week. Christenson, the highest finishing runner in the PacWest at the meet, led the Urban Knights to fourth overall as a team.

"This performance is a testament to all the hard work that Torrey Olson and the staff has put in to make a serious investment in building up our distance crew," head coach Charles Ryan said. "We have a very talented group the year and what they may lack in experience they more than make up for in effort and competitiveness. McKaela's performance was fantastic and she was the highlight of what was easily our best team performance ever here at ART U in cross country for the women. I could not be more excited about this team and what the future holds for ART U Cross Country."

Christenson delivered a time of 14:28.9 on the 4k course, wedging herself in between Biola's second place finisher and Azusa's top performer for a fourth place finish individually. A Division I Cross Country State Champion and 2012 Wisconsin Runner of the Year while at Baraboo High School, Christenson made her presence known this past Saturday.

"McKaela Christenson really surprised me," associate head coach Torrey Olson said. "She ran with the front of the race until the very end to snag fourth in a very good opening time on a hot course. I am very excited to watch her continue to develop."