West Seattle's Lincoln Park, site of the Pacific West Conference Championships October 30, is another favorite. Meets may not attract large numbers of spectators, but even a few hundred can create sufficient atmosphere as they form a gauntlet of well-wishers for the runners emerging briefly from the forest. I'll think about the course and where I can expect a lift from the spectators. Perhaps more than track and field, cross country is a team sport. The score of each meet is determined by the placement of each team's top five finishers.
First place is worth one point, for instance, and the lowest score wins.
The 1996 West Regional was a prime example. The top three teams were battling for two berths to the NCAA Championships, and only four points separated them. At first, the Falcons feared they had finished third. But thanks to some late passing by their final two runners, they were elated to hear they had not only qualified, but had won the region for the first time. We went from being so sad to so excited in just a few moments.