Linfield cross country is ready to surprise some teams at the Northwest Conference Championships.

The cross country team will run at Pacific Lutheran University, which is just south of Tacoma, Washington.

Every division three school in the Northwest Conference will be there, with a total of nine teams, the Wildcats’ goal is to be in the top three on each side.

Their mindset is the same as they head into the championship meet. They all want to perform well and win.

Kaelia Neal, ’18, said, “There is more pressure during championship season, but we just have to remember to compete like it’s any other race.”

Neal has been the top finisher for the ’Cats the past five meets.

Emma Kudson, ’18, said, “It is different in that it is one of the more important races, it’s our big focus throughout the regular season. So there is more pressure, more excitement, and more competition. It’s the meet that we all look forward to competing, and competing well.”

Knudson has been a consistent number two runner for the Lady ’Cats.

Neal adds, “I am definitely ready for championship season. I trained a lot more in the summer than I ever have before, and luckily it has paid off so far.”

The ’Cats have put in a lot of hard work this season and are looking forward to the end. They can’t wait to see where the team ends up on the podium.

“I am really looking forward to see how we do as a team, I’m confident we can really shake things up this year,” Knudson said.

Adrian Clifford, ’17, said, “our team has some momentum from our last meet coming into conference, and I feel confident that we will make a statement at the conference meet.”

Clifford continued, “our team is the strongest it has been since I’ve been at Linfield, and I’m excited to have our team to compete for a top-three finish. I feel encouraged in our ability by the strength and depth of our team coming into this race.”

Clifford has been a top-three finisher for Linfield this season.

The gun goes off for the Northwest Conference Championships at 10 a.m. starting with a 6-kilometer race for the women. The men race 8-kilometers at 11 a.m. The race is on Saturday at the south field of PLU in Parkland, Washington.