By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University's Michaela Freeby (Jr., Milwaukie, OR/Rex Putnam HS) has been selected Northwest Conference Women's Cross Country Student-Athlete of the Week for her accomplishments at the 39th Annual Charles Bowles Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 21.

Freeby earned first place in the Women's Cardinal 5K race with a winning time of 17:30.15, as she reached the finish line 12.52 seconds before the second place runner. Freeby finished first out of 190 entries in the Women's Cardinal 5K race.

Following Freeby across the finish line for Willamette were Taylor Ostrander (So., Soldotna, AK/Kenai Central HS) in 14th place at 18:30.28, and Annette Marinello (Jr., Corvallis, OR/Philomath HS) in 28th with a time of 18:53.43.

As a team, the Bearcats finished in third place behind the University of Alaska-Anchorage and Seattle Pacific University, both NCAA Division II programs. Alaska Anchorage is currently ranked #5 nationally in Division II, while Willamette is ranked #27 in NCAA Division III.

Earlier this week, Freeby received honorable mention recognition for Division III National Women's Athlete of the Week as selected by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The Willamette cross country teams will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Mike Hodges Invitational, hosted by Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, Ore. The first race is set to begin at 10 a.m. (PDT).