When cross country coach Greg Metcalf received a contract extension with Washington this offseason, many wondered how his team would perform in its first event of the year. But as onlookers in Lincoln Park hid from the rain beneath their umbrellas, the men’s and women’s teams proceeded to sweep the September 20 Sundodger Invitational.

This year, the women’s squad is stacked with talent and is poised to compete for a national championship. The team was ranked third in the national preseason coaches’ poll, and with good reason.

“I think that our women’s team can be really good,” Metcalf said. “I’m optimistic and confident about our team and our chances. Last year was our best finish ever at NCAA’s, and I thought we ran average that day.”

Of the many notable returners for the Husky women, Marie Lawrence, Lauren Saylor, Kailey Campbell, Kenna Patrick, Michelle Turner, Anita Campbell and Mo Huber each placed in the top-15 at the Sundodger Invitational. When the day was done though, the leader of the women’s pack was none other than UW true freshman Kendra Schaaf, setting a new course record of 19:58 in the 6,000-meter event.

“It is definitely a confidence booster,” Schaaf said after her debut. “It’s good to come in and have a good race and get the year off on the right foot.”

The men’s team took great strides of their own, earning first place as a team at the event, thanks to solid performances all around. Jake Schmitt led the charge for the Husky men, placing third with a time of 23:48 in the 8,000-meter event.

“I thought it was exactly what I wanted to feel like,” Schmitt said. “Today’s kind of a rust-buster, shake up the nerves, see where the team is, and it played into that exactly.”

Fellow Huskies Jeremy Mineau, Chris Ahl, Cameron Quackenbush, Colton Tully-Doyle, Jordan Swarthout, Caleb Knox, Joey Bywater (raced unattached) and Alec Bromka would also go on to finish in the top 25. The Sundodger Invitational also marked Mineau’s first race since spring 2007, after redshirting last season.

“Jeremy’s been out of commission for a while and for us to get him back racing again and looking strong was fantastic because that is just the tip of the iceberg for him,” Metcalf said.

As Mineau recovers his stride and the other young runners continue to develop, the Washington men’s cross country team could have a very successful 2008 campaign.

Reach reporter Ben Foutz at sports@dailyuw.com.