By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University runner Olivia Mancl (Jr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) has been named Northwest Conference Women's Cross Country Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts at the Ash Creek Invitational hosted by Western Oregon University on Friday, Sept. 11.

Mancl placed fifth overall with a time of 16:50.0 in the women's 4.6-kilometer race. She led Willamette to second place in the team standings, trailing only Chico State of NCAA Division II.

The Bearcats finished in front of the University of Portland from NCAA Division I and six teams from NCAA Division II. A total of 12 teams participated in the women's race.

Mancl helped Willamette win the NWC and NCAA West Regional team titles in 2014. The Bearcats took 15th place at the 2014 NCAA Championships. Mancl was WU's top finisher at the national meet in 48th place.

Up next on the Bearcats' schedule is the 41st Annual Charles Bowles Willamette University on Saturday, Oct. 3. The meet, one of the largest on the West Coast each season -- will get underway at 9:30 a.m. (PDT) in Bush's Pasture Park. Each of four races will finish on the Charles Bowles Track inside McCullough Stadium.