By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

ESTACADA, Ore. -- A group of Willamette University cross country runners participated in the Lewis & Clark Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 15 at McIver State Park. Kyla Shade (Fr., Snohomish, WA/Snohomish HS) was Willamette's top finisher, as she took 14th place in the women's 6-kilometer race. Schafer Wilson (Fr., Shangai, China/Concordia International School) led the Bearcat men's team by placing 32nd in the 8-kilometer race.

Shade was one of three Bearcats competing in the women's race. Rosalba Cabrera finished in 24:22.0 to take 31st place. Maggie Chapin was timed at 25:06.7.

Jessa Perkinson from Southern Oregon earned first place in the women's competition. Her time was 21:49.4. Leah Wessler of Colorado College was second at 22:12.3 and Katie Sandfort of Colorado College placed third in 22:28.7.

Wilson led five runners for Willamette in the men's race. Three of the Bearcats finished in a close grouping. Robbie Melhorn (So., Bangkok, Thailand/International School Bangkok) and Jack Kobylka (Jr., Napa, CA/Vintage HS) both finished in 27:25.0, with Melhonr taking 38th and Kobylka placing 39th. Matt Taylor (Fr., Arlington, WA/Arlington HS) was 40th in a time of 27:29.0. Kellen Bulger also competed for WU.

The men's individual champion was Connor Cushman from SOU with a time of 25:28.0. Liam Monheim of Lewis & Clark College followed in second place at 25:32.0. Ray Schireman of SOU was third at 25:37.0.

Colorado College won the women's team championship with a score of 27 (2-3-6-7-9). Southern Oregon University was third at 59 and Northwest Nazarene University placed third at 85. Willamette did not field a complete team.

The men's team title was claimed by Southern Oregon with a winning score of 22 (1-3-5-6-7). Colorado College took second at 106, while Lewis & Clark was third at 109. Willamette placed eighth in the men's team standings.

Willlamette's squads were split on Saturday, with part of each team competing at the UW-Oshkosh Kollege Town Sports Invitational in Winneconne, Wis. The Bearcats will be back in action at the Northwest Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 29. The NWC meet, set for Willamette Mission State Park, will be hosted by George Fox University. Action is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. (PDT).