By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University took second place in the men's team standings and third place in the women's team standings at the West Coast Preview, hosted by the University of Portland cross country teams at Pier Park on Friday, Sept. 11. The Bearcat men finished just three points behind Gonzaga, as the Zags registered 36 points and Willamette received 39 points. On the women's side, Portland took first at 29, with Gonzaga just three points behind at 32 and Willamette at 90.

Matt Parker (Jr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) was the top collegiate finisher in the 8-kilometer men's race. He completed the course in 25:55.0, as he trailed only unattached runners Joash Osoro (25:30.79) and Trevor Dunbar (25:49.0).

Other top finishers for the Willamette men's team were Kyle Jackson (So., Springfield, OR/Marist HS) in seventh place overall and fourth among scorers at 26:21.0 and Kevin Aubol (Fr., Ellensburg, WA/Ellensburg HS) in eighth overall and fifth among scorers, also at 26:21.0. Nathan Smith (Jr., Colorado Springs, CO/Air Academy HS) of Willamette placed 15th overall with a time of 27:05 and Sean Sharma (Fr., La Canada, CA/La Canada HS) was 20th in 27:20.

The winner of the women's 6-kilometer race was Lyndy Davis from the University of Portland. She finished in 22:27.0. Molly Funk of Gonzaga was second in 22:39 and Elizabeth Keaveny from Portland was third at 23:06.

Leading Willamette's women across the finish line was Tina Patel (Jr., Bend, OR/Summit HS), who took 13th place with a time of 24:09. Hannah Vietmeier (Sr., Shoreline, WA/Shorewood HS) was 14th in 24:21 and Amanda Tamanaha (Fr., Honolulu, HI/St. Andrews Priory School) was 22nd in 24:51.

A select group of runners competed for Willamette at the West Coast Preview. Nearly all of Willamette's cross country runners will participate in the WU Grass Course Meet at Bush's Pasture Park in Salem, Ore., on Friday, Sept. 12. The Grass Course races will get underway at 5 p.m. (PDT).