CSUN Trio in Pursuit of Modest Goals at Meet

NORTHRIDGE —  The goals might seem modest to some, but Cal State Northridge cross-country Coach Don Strametz says if Lori Miller, Jennifer Andrews and Armando Lerma can reach his pre-race objectives, it will cap a productive season for them.

Each of those runners will compete in the NCAA District 8 championships at Lewis River Golf Course in Woodland, Wash., today.

Miller, a sophomore, and Andrews, a junior, are shooting for a top-30 finish in the women’s 5,000-meter race, and freshman Lerma will be gunning for a finish among the top 50 in the men’s 10,000-meter event.

“(A top-30 finish in the women’s race) might seem a little high for Lori and Jen,” Strametz said, “but I think they’re both capable of that. Their workouts show that they’re ready for that type of a performance.”

Miller finished 56th in last year’s District 8 meet, but she has run substantially faster over similar courses this year compared to last season.

Andrews, who played soccer the past two years before returning to her cross-country roots this season, has improved steadily with each race and could supplant Miller as Northridge’s No. 1 runner.

“She’s ready to challenge her,” Strametz said. “In Lori’s defense, she has been fighting a cold for the past two weeks, but Jen has been closing the gap on her all season.”

Lerma, who finished 15th in last year’s state Division II cross-country meet for Indio High, will be running in the first 10,000-meter cross-country race of his career.

The top two teams and the top two individuals not on a qualifying team and among the first 15 finishers will advance to the NCAA championships in Bethlehem, Pa., on Nov. 22.