By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University runner Michael Montague (So., San Diego, CA/Canyon Crest Academy) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Men's Cross Country Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts at the Ash Creek Preserve Invitational on Sept. 8. Montague was one of five Willamette men's cross country runners who competed at the meet, which was hosted by Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon.
Montague placed 13th out of 109 runners in the men's race, which covered 6.2 kilometers. His time was 19:21.2, as he narrowly edged out teammate Morris Wecker (Fr., Missoula, MT/Hellgate HS), who also finished the race in 19:21.2 and took 14th place.
Ten of the 12 runners in front of Montague were from NCAA Division II teams, one was from the NAIA and one was from the NJCAA. The Bearcats placed fifth out of 13 teams. The NWC was represented by teams from Willamette, Linfield and Pacific.
The Bearcats are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, Sept. 16 at the St. Olaf Invitational in Northfield, Minnesota. The men's race is set for 10 a.m. CDT/8 a.m. PDT, with the women's race starting one hour later.