SALT LAKE CITY—The women's cross country team is headed to the RMAC Championships this weekend. University of Colorado-Colorado Springs is hosting the race at the Monument Valley Park. The women are scheduled to start at 10:15 am Saturday morning.
 
The Griffins have put together a strong team that is set to surprise many at this year's championships. The team was picked ninth in the preseason coaches poll and finished 11^th at last year's race.
 
The team competed in three races and posted some impressive finishes—first in the Idaho Milk Products CSI Classic, second in the Mountaineer/Cowboy Invitational and fourth in the Maverick Invitational.
 
"Women's cross country has been consistently getting better every week," Head Coach Dan Quinn said. "For the first time in school history they have been rank in the top 6 in conference."
 
Just two weeks ago, the Maverick Invitational provided a good preview of how strong the team is and how well it can compete against the other RMAC institutions. The team recorded the third fastest 1-5 split (1:10), just a second behind second-place Western Colorado and seven seconds behind first-place Adams State.
 
"I'm stoked!" senior Katie Scott said about the upcoming race. "Coming into the season we were ranked dead last in the RMAC preseason polling. Little did they know how strong of a team we've put together this year."
 
"I am so excited to see what the team can do," junior Hannah Rohrer-Fitzhugh shared. "We have never had such a great group of individuals who are willing to put it all on the line for each other. Without the (2019 outdoor track & field) season to compete, we jumped right into preparation for cross country."
 
Scott and Rohrer-Fitzhugh have led the team as the top finishers in each race. Rohrer-Fitzhugh has been the first to finish twice. Scott recorded a team-best finish, ninth (19:32.15) in the Mountaineer/Cowboy Invitational.
 
"I have PRed in every race this year and I couldn't be happier on how my performance has been." Scott said referring to her season results.
 
Freshman Amanda Lee and sophomores Saydi Anderson and Courtney McAlindon complete the top five. Anderson and Lee have traded places between third and fourth with McAlindon not far behind finishing fifth in the races.
 
"I'm definitely nervous for conference, but I think [we] can do it if we give it our 110% effort." Lee said. "My mentality going into these collegiate races has been far sharper and more focused than in high school"
 
Links to the race program, live results and live streaming of the race and award ceremonies can be found on the women's cross country schedule at www.westminstergriffins.com/wxct&f.