Anna Pappas cruising to victory
The PRT Open Women’s team ran with incredible depth throughout the Dirt Dog XC 2022 season and showcased why the team has remained at the top of the San Diego racing scene. For the second year in a row, the PRT Open Women was led by the speedy and talented Anna Pappas. She dominated the cross country season and remained undefeated in every single Dirt Dog race she toed the line in. The highlight of the season was the PRT Open Women’s team victory at the USATF San Diego Dirt Dog Championship race at Tecolote Shores on November 20, 2022.
Wild Duck 5K
The Wild Duck 5k at Guajome Park was the first race of the Dirt Dog season and proved to be a great rust buster after a solid summer of base-building for the team. Anna Pappas took the win by almost a minute in 17:17, followed by a 3rd place effort by Erin Menefee (18:24), Madison Tanner in 4th (18:35), Carrie Hinners in 10th (19:36), Bridget Nolan (19:56), and Erica Schoeller (21:31). The Wild Duck 5k was a resounding success as the women took the overall title over the San Diego Track Club Elite.
57th Balboa Park Tom Bache 4-Mile XC Race
On an unseasonably warm San Diego morning, PRT runners took to the hills of the challenging Balboa 4-mile course. Anna Pappas continued her winning ways as she won in a convincing fashion with a finishing time of 24:45. She was followed by Madison Tanner in 7th (27:07), Bridget Nolan in 10th (28:48), Lindsay Benster in 11th (29:01), and Carrie Hinners in 12th (29:11). The women scored 2nd overall as a team.
Crazy 8’s = Crazy Fun
The PRT Open ladies showed their depth at Rancho Bernardo Park on September 17th. The ladies were led by another individual win by Anna Pappas in 17:14, followed closely behind by Erin Menefee in 2nd (17:30), Madison Tanner in 4th (18:03), Aundrea Koger in 6th (18:09), Fiana Kumm in 8th (18:54), Lily Seynaere in 9th (19:11), Lindsay Benster in 11th (19:22), Jessica Clar in 12th (19:25), and Nicole Jaffke in 13th (19:30).
Left to right: Erin Menefee, Anna Pappas, Fiana Kumm, Madison Tanner, Lily Seynaere, Nicole Jaffke, Aundrea Koger, Carrie Hinners, Lindsay Benster, and Jessica Clar.
Carrera De Los Muertos 4-Mile XC
The PRT Open Women took to the hills of a new course this year at Chollas Lake on October 22nd. Anna Pappas once again zoomed to a first place finish in 23:45, followed by Erin Menefee in 3rd (24:49), Aundrea Koger in 6th (25:30), and Fiana Kumm in 7th (25:40). Kelsie Pearson had a strong race to finish in 8th (25:56), Madison Tanner in 12th (26:46), Lily Seynaere secured 13th (26:55), Nicole Jaffke in 14th (27:04), Carrie Hinners in 15th (27:11), and Lindsay Benster finished in 16th (27:35).
PRT Open Ladies Takes Home the Dirt Dogs Team Title (Again)!
Anna Pappas cruising to victory. Right: The PRT Open Women’s team celebrates after a successful USATF San Diego Dirt Dogs Championship at Tecolote Shores on November 20, 2022. From left to right: Madison Tanner, Lily Seynaere, Anna Pappas, Erin Menefee, Willie Banks (former triple jump world record-holder), Aundrea Koger, Carrie Hinners, Lindsay Benster, and Kelsie Pearson.
The USATF San Diego Dirt Dogs Cross Country Championship race was all about the team, as the score truly came down to the wire. The PRT Open women’s team was a thrilling one to watch and led by Anna Pappas, who cruised to the finish in 22:18. Erin Menefee turned in a solid performance with a 3rd place finish in 23:22, and Aundrea Koger made up significant ground in the second half of the race to close hard and finish 4th in 23:47. Kelsie Pearson had a great kick to finish in 8th place in 24:12, followed closely behind by Madison Tanner in 11th (241:14) and Lily Seynaere in 12th (24:20), Carrie Hinners in 14th (25:07), Erica Schoeller in 15th (25:21), and Lindsay Benster in 20th (25:48).
The Fall 2022 Road Recap:
In addition to the trails, the PRT Open women took to the roads in the Fall 2022 racing season. Some of the highlights from the year was Erin Menefee’s 1st place finish at the Thrive Half Marathon in the open division on November 12th in 1:18:48 along with Carrie Hinners (1:29:44). The PRT Open women represented well at the Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2022, which was led by Bridget Nolan. Nolan ran an impressive time in her fast attempt at 26.2 miles, turning in a 2:58:5 and Erica Schoeller finished in 3:03:16. Schoeller also raced the TCS New York City Marathon a few weeks later, and finished in 3:18:55. On December 4th, the PRT Open ladies took to the streets of Sacramento to cap off a fantastic racing season at the California International Marathon (CIM). Erin Menefee showed true grit after going out in OTQ pace and finished in 2:48:54, followed by a PR’s for Madison Tanner (2:49:31), Kelsie Pearson (2:50:51), and Nicole Jaffke (2:56:43). Carrie Hinners also raced her fastest marathon in 7 years and turned in a great time of 3:09:41.
Looking Ahead
The PRT ladies had a fast fall and will be back in action in 2023! To stay in the know with day-to-day team happenings and performances, follow PRT on Instagram @pradoracingteam or at facebook.com/pradoracingteam.