PORTLAND, Ore.—For brand new Pacific University cross country coach Matt Lydum, his first event as the leader of the program couldn't have gone much better.
 
Granted, in the meet held Tuesday afternoon in Portland's Westmoreland Park, the Boxers finished behind everyone else in the team competition—host Lewis & Clark, Portland State, Oregon State and the University of Portland.
 
But for Lydum, he is looking way beyond team tallies in the fall of 2015.
 
"I thought that things went great," said Lydum, whose first day on the job was August 18.  "I was very pleased with the results of our returnees. All of our veterans improved from last year on this same course. For me, that shows that they have been training and working hard in an effort to get better, which is what we are going to be all about."
 
Sophomore Stephenie Spencer paced the Boxers in the five kilometer race in 18:33.6, good for sixth place. Fellow second-year runner Logan Naegeli was the top finisher for Lydum's men over the four mile course with a time of 21:52.7, crossing the line 11th.
 
"Both Stephenie and Logan ran very close to lifetime bests," Lydum said. "They both finished very strong, I am excited to watch them get better and better."
 
Up next for Pacific is a meet at Corban University (Salem) on Sept. 18.
 
"We will continue to work, with the goal of getting physically stronger each week," Lydum added. "I liked how we showed a willingness to compete today. Our freshmen were just in their second day of classes and their first collegiate meet yet they gave a great effort. They showed great potential."

For complete results, go to lcpioneers.com.