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

MONMOUTH, ORE. -- Several members of the Willamette University men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2013 season by competing at the Ash Creek Preserve Invitational, hosted by Western Oregon University on Friday, Sept. 13. The event was set up as a time trial with staggered starting times for the athletes competing.

Ami Boucher (Fr., Concord, CA/Northgate HS) from Willamette placed third in the women's competition with a time of 16:03 for the 4.2-kilometer course. Iris Dowd (Fr., Portland, OR/St. Mary's Academy) of Willamette followed in seventh place at 16:21.

The individual winner in the women's division was Annie Wade from Western Oregon, who was timed at 15:22. Stephanie Stuckey of WOU placed second at 15:56.

In the men's competition, Brady Beagley of Western Oregon was the winner over the 5.9-kilometer course with a time of 18.35. Eric Ghelfi from Southern Oregon University was second at 18:40, while Trevor Lynn from SOU was third at 18:56.

Willamette's Dylan Tooley (Fr., Denver, CO/Denver East HS) was 25th in the men's division with a time of 20:39. Teammate Quinn Lindley (Jr., Monmouth, OR/Central HS) finished 34th in 21:46.

Southern Oregon won the men's team title with a score of 23. Western Oregon was second at 38, while Mount Hood Community College placed third at 79 and Warner Pacific College was fourth at 118. Western Oregon claimed team honors in the women's division with a score of 18 points. Southern Oregon was second at 47, Mount Hood CC was third at 84 and Warner Pacific took fourth at 87.

Willamette did not enter a full team in either division.

The Bearcats' next competition is set for Saturday, Sept 21, when Willamette will host the Oak Knoll Loop Run at the Oak Knoll Golf Course near Independence, Ore. The first race is set to begin at 10 a.m. (PDT).