By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University cross country teams will begin the 2023 season by competing at the Linfield Harrier Classic on Friday, Sept. 1 at Joe Dancer Park in McMinnville, Oregon. The meet will feature a women's 4-kilometer run at 10 a.m. PDT followed by a men's 6-kilometer run at 10:40 a.m.

A total of 19 colleges and universities will be competing, along with unattached athletes. The Northwest Conference will be represented by Willamette, Linfield University, and George Fox, and Pacific University.

Other teams in the State of Oregon who are set to compete include Bushnell University, Corban University, Lane Community College, Multnomah University, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, the University of Portland, Portland State University, Southwestern Oregon Community College, and Western Oregon University. Several college and universities from the State of Washington also will participate in the meet.

Top returning runners for the Willamette women's team include Zoe Heino (So., Portland, OR/Mountainside HS) and Anna Bikle (So., Woodside, CA/Half Moon Bay HS). Among the top returning competitors on the Willamette men's team are William Hennum (Jr., Henderson, NV/Liberty HS/SW Oregon CC) and Jay Chew (So., Elk Grove, CA/Laguna Creek HS).