For most athletes, making it to nationals is a lifelong dream. Yet, to the men and women of the HPU’s cross-country team, it’s all in a season’s work. And with the turn of a new season the team has begun work once again, winning first, second, and third place in the women’s division at the Chaminade Invitational held at Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i in Laie on Sept. 9.

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In the women’s 5K race, Nina Christensen finished first at 17:37 followed closely by her teammates Lisa Blommé (17:49) and Sayuri Kusitani (18:01). Both Christensen and Blommé have proved to be right on schedule as they placed sixth and seventh at nationals last year, respectively and were named to NCAA II All-American team.

The women’s crosscountry is never short on surprises as Japanese recruit Sayuri Kusutani has shown. Although only a freshman, she has definitely demonstrated some seniority on the course.

“She has done well in both of our pre-season races,” said HPU alumnus and recently-named assistant coach, Christian Friis. “Nina and Lisa are very strong runners, but it’s nice to see new people developing.”

Developments have also taken place for the men as well. Junior Christian Madsen, a newcomer to the program, has established himself as a prolific runner. In HPU’s first preseason meet he took first place in the men’s eight kilometer with a time of 26:40. The following week, at a friendly meet held at BYU, he improved to 25:15.

Blommé was enthusiastic about the progress the men’s team has made: “ I feel the women’s team’s preseason training went well, but I feel really confident about the men’s team,” Blommé said. “They will do well this season.”