Portland State’s cross country team went up against some of the best runners on the West Coast on Friday when they competed in the NCAA West Regional Championship in Seattle. Senior Amber Rozcicha paced the women’s team, while the men were led by freshman Neil Seibert.
Portland State’s cross country team went up against some of the best runners on the West Coast on Friday when they competed in the NCAA West Regional Championship in Seattle. Senior Amber Rozcicha paced the women’s team, while the men were led by freshman Neil Seibert.
COURTESY OF Goviks.com
Leading the Way: Senior Amber Rozcicha competes in the final race of her PSU career.
“The regional meet was a great opportunity for our athletes to see what high-level championship racing is about,” head coach Jonathan Marcus said. “With the team being so young, and rebuilding, I’m looking forward to the next couple years. A lot of people walked away better for having the experience. And that was the mission.”
Rozcicha’s run capped a stellar final season at PSU, one that included a first-place finish and multiple top-five finishes. The senior came out gunning but couldn’t keep pace with the top 25, which would have landed her a spot in the national
championships.
“She wanted to give herself a chance to qualify for the national meet, and she did that,” Marcus said. “For the first half of the race, she was up there with the front-runners…that’s a championship attitude.”
Seibert also wrapped up a strong season, which leaves a lot of hope for the future of the men’s program. “I have no doubt in the next few years he will be up there,” Marcus said. “His junior and senior year, he will be in that conversation to qualify for the national meet.”
Marcus will look to build on the cross country team’s success in the coming track and field season.
“We have a lot of good women coming back, and the whole men’s team [is] coming back,” Marcus said. “With us being pretty young, we now have an experience with these returners about the caliber of competition the regional meet is going to be. I’m looking forward to the next two or three years.”
The indoor track and field season begins on Nov. 30 with the Jackson Open in Boise, Idaho.
