By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University runners Olivia Mancl (Sr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) and Patrick Loftus (Jr., Santa Rosa, CA/Sonoma Academy) will compete at the 2016 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Louisville, Kentucky. The women's 6-kilometer race is set for 11 a.m. EST/8 a.m. PST. The men's 8-kilometer race will begin at 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST.

"We are very proud of Patrick and Olivia and look forward to their races this weekend," Willamettte Head Coach Matt McGuirk said. "They are both very excited and appreciative of the opportunity to represent Willamette University at the NCAA Championships."

Mancl is a strong contender in the women's race. She took second place at last year's NCAA Championships. In addition, won the Northwest Conference individual title in 2015 and 2016, and placed second at the NCAA West Regional both years. She helped Willamette place 10th in the team standings at the 2015 NCAA Championships.

Defending individual women's national champion Abrah Masterson from Cornell College (Iowa) is back to defend her title. Maya Weigel of Pomona-Pitzer, who has won three consecutive West Region titles, also returns after placing third at the NCAA Championships last season. Amy Regan from Stevens Institute of Technology (N.J.), who won the 2014 NCAA individual title as a junior, is back at the NCAA Championships as a senior this season.

Masterson, Mancl, Weigel and Regan stand out, but the overall field will be strong. A total of approximately 280 runners will compete in the women's race.

The men's race also will include about 280 runners. Top returning athletes in the men's competition include defending national champion Ian LaMere from University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Zach Plank from North Central College (Ill.), who placed fourth in 2015.

Loftus earned second place at this year's Northwest Conference championships and finished eighth at the NCAA West Regional last weekend. He led Willamette to its fifth consecutive NWC team title. He is making his second appearance at the NCAA Championships after helping the Bearcats place 28th as a team last season.