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Cross Country at Willamette

 

October 1 , 2006

 

Courtesy : Eastern Oregon Cross Country

 

 

Salem, Ore. - Competing in a loaded field (32 total women’s teams including six ranked NAIA teams and several ranked NCAA Division II and Division III teams) the Mountaineer women had a very solid day with 7 out of the 11 women posting life time bests to finish in the very middle of the filed in 16th.

 

EOU women competitors included Marcella Bosch (18:54), Katie Clapp (19:36), Kendra Stone (19:42), Chelsee Harmon (19:44), Abby Morrison (20:04), Marika Dobos (20:06), Kyle Janssen (20:10), Sara Bates (20:13), Laura Clayton (20:24), Dani Murphy (20:24), and Jess Johnston (21:08).  Bosch, Clapp, Stone, Harmon, Morrison, Dobos, and Murphy all posted career best times.

 

In a day that saw a number of fine races and efforts, EOU’s #5 and #6 runners (Abby Morrison and Marika Dobos) had perhaps the best days of all. This was Morrison’s first ever 5K and only her second ever cross country race, so she had a very impressive showing.  Dobos beat her previous mark by about 30 seconds and ran 40 seconds faster than she did last year.

 

Overall, the meet was a nice step in the right direction and was highlighted by very good team work throughout the race.

 

There was another loaded field on the men’s side with 7 ranked NAIA teams, including the #1 ranked Concordia of California and several other ranked NCAA Division II and Division III schools.

 

As a group the men took a good step forward, with 4 of the 5 running life time bests and by and large, competing well. The Mountaineers 2-4 gap was much better this week, but still need to close the 1-2 gaps.

 

Men competing for EOU were Troy Blackburn (25:27), Josh Cobb (26:44), Cam Starner (26:58), Justin Dean (26:59), and Kenny Thissell (27:11).  With the exception of Cobb, each of the men set personal records.

 

EOU cross country hopes to continue progressing when they are back in action on October 7 in La Grande.  Head Coach Ben Welch commented that the team should be stronger next week.  “John Aguirre should be back with us after he was out with some knee issues this weekend.  Also, adding to the mix for the fist time this year will be senior Jake Peterson and transfer Morgan Saltenberger.  Saltenberger is coming off of a summer stress fracture but was a conference placer in the 10,000 meter run last spring.”           

 

Race times for Saturday’s EOU Invite/Regional Preview are 11:00 a.m. for the women’s 5,000 meter race and 11:45 for the men’s 8,000 meter race. The course will be laid out on the south end of the Eastern Oregon University campus, in and around the Athletic fields, and should be very spectator friendly.

 

Teams expected to compete against the Mountaineers include Albertson, Boise State, Concordia of Oregon, Lewis Clark State College, Northwest University, Northwest Nazarene and Treasure Valley Community College.

 

 

 

 

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