SEATTLE, Wash. - The Arizona State cross country team wrapped up their season at the NCAA West Regional Championship with the women finishing in 8th and the men in 15th.
Unfortunately for both men and women, a trip to the NCAA Championships was not obtained as the Sun Devils needed to finish among the top five to at least have a chance.
The conditions weren't ideal for the racers -- yet the typical atmosphere for cross country -- with rain falling all week and creating a muddy, damp mess on the course.
"Today was a miserable weather day," head coach Louie Quintana said. "But it was awesome. True cross country. It affected us, but it was the same for everyone. It affected a lot of teams, but good teams are just good no matter what. We are not there right now and that's disappointing. That's on me. The expectation at ASU is to field an NCAA-caliber team."
Freshman Samantha Ortega continued her stellar rookie campaign with another top-25 finish and time of 21:10.6. She finished in 22nd place. Redshirt senior Adriana Olivas wasn't far behind with a time fo 21:20.6 for 31st place. Junior Chelsey Totten was the last Sun Devil to finish in the top-50 with a time of 21:33.8.
"I really feel the women are getting better, but so is the entire region," head coach Louie Quintana said. "We have a lot of work to do to get better. Continued diligence with recruiting and obviously better coaching. We raced hard today -- but the story all year has been we couldn't get all five righ ton the same day."
On the men's side, redshirt senior Ryan Herson crossed the line first for the men in 60th out of the 205 racers with a time of 32:19.7. Redshirt junior C.J. Albertson, who finished with the top spot in the top-25 at the Pac-12 Championships, ended up in 77th with a time of 32:38.0.
"Truly a disappointing end to a very frustrating season," Quintana said. "No excuses, we just didn't get it done this season. We had poor commitment over the summer and we really paid the price this fall.
"We have good people on this team. We need to elevate our training and mindset to get back to NCAA's."
The track and field season begins in January, with a trip to Northern Arizona on Jan. 16. See the rest of their 2016 indoor and outdoor schedule here.
Women's Results
1. Oregon - 792. Boise State - 80
3. Washington - 105
8. Arizona State - 243
9. Portland - 286
Individual
22. Samantha Ortega - 21:10.631. Adriana Olivas - 21:20.6
48. Chelsey Totten - 21:33.8
58. Jenna Maack - 21:42.9
85. Shaina Corbin - 22:14.9
132. Cristina Juan Torres - 22:37.7
156. Jen Owen - 22:58.0
Men's Results
1. Washington - 63 points2. Stanford - 83
3. Oregon - 99
15. Arizona State - 422
16. St. Marys - 489
Individual
60. Ryan Herson - 32:19.777. C.J. Albertson - 32:38.0
82. Ryan Norton - 32:45.5
102. Bernie Montoya - 33:07.8
106. Cody Brazeal - 33:12.7
134. Ryan Normand - 33:58.4
170. Jeff Bickert - 34:53.1