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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University had three runners in the Top 20, and took third place in the team standings behind Chico State and Boise State University, during the men's Cardinal Race (8K) at the Charles Bowles Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4. Leo Castillo (So., Parkdale, OR/Hood River Valley HS) of Willamette was 14th, Matt Parker (Jr., Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) placed 15th and Stefan Redfield (Jr., Sisters, OR/Sisters HS) took 19th.

Chico State achieved a score of 46 points, to edge out Boise State for the team title. BSU earned a score of 51. Willamette was third at 113, with the University of Idaho in fourth at 164 and Nebraska Wesleyan University in fifth at 169.

The top two runners in the men's Cardinal Race (NCAA Division I, II and III) were from Chico State. Michael Wickman took first place in 24:08.06 and Jimmy Elam was second at 24:12.46. Sawyer Bosch from Boise State claimed third place with a time of 24:13.72.

Castillo achieved his 14th place finish in 24:45.35. Parker was about one-half second behind Castillo, as he took 15th in 24:45.84. Redfield recorded a time of 24:51.70 to take 19th overall.

All five of Willamette's scorers were in the top 35. In addition to Castillo, Parker and Redfield, Ryan McLaughlin (Jr., Milwaukie, OR/Milwaukie HS) was 33rd at 25:17.87 (32nd among scorers) and Kevin Aubol (Fr., Ellensburg, WA/Ellensburg HS) was 35th at 25:22.96 (33rd among scorers).

The solid results for the Bearcat men allowed Willamette, ranked #30 in this week's NCAA Division III national rankings, to place in front of three teams ranked higher in the poll. Nebraska Wesleyan University, ranked #16, placed 5th in the men's Cardinal Race, while Whitworth University, ranked #27, placed 7th and St. John's University (Minn.), ranked #23, placed 11th.

In the women's Cardinal Race (5K), the team champion was Chico State with 43 points. Augustana College (S.D.) was second with 114 points and the University of Idaho was third at 116. Whitworth was fourth at 142 and the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) was fifth at 171.

The individual winner was Teegan Schoch from the University of Idaho, who completed the course in 17:26.92. Kara Lubieniecki from Chico State placed second in 17:47.90. Alia Gray, also from Chico State, took third at 17:47.97.

Willamette's top finisher was Tina Patel (Jr., Bend, OR/Summit HS), who placed 59th (54th among scorers) with a time of 18:46.76. The Bearcat women placed 15th in the team standings.

The team title in the men's Gold Race (NAIA, Junior College, club teams, unattached) was won by Southern Oregon University with a score of 41. The Raiders won by eight points over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.), which took second with 49 points. University of British Columbia was third at 94.

Earning the individual championship in the 8-kilometer race was Abednego Magut of Azusa Pacific University with a time of 23:49.20. David Laney from Southern Oregon was second in 24:13.30 and Michael Nicks with Bowerman Athletic Club was third at 24:14.32.

In the women's Gold Race (5K), Azusa Pacific was the team champion at 35 points, including four of the top 10 finishers. Jacky Kipwambok of Azusa won the individual title with a time of 16:51.42. The Cougars also took fourth, sixth and eighth. Biola University (Calif.) was second with a score of 79. Concordia University (Calif.) placed third at 139.

Kipwambok achieved a margin of victory of 34.8 seconds. Rocio Pelayo from Concordia (Calif.) was second at 17:26.22 and Kristen Rohde of the Bowerman Athletic Club was third with a time of 17:31.84.

Willamette's next competition will be at the Mike Hodges Invitational on Friday, Oct. 16. The event, hosted by Clackamas Community College, will be held in Oregon City, Ore., starting at 3:30 p.m. (PDT).