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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University runner Michaela Freeby (Jr., Milwaukie, OR/Rex Putnam HS) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Women's Cross Country Student-Athlete of the Week after taking third place at the Brooks Invitational in Winneconne, Wis., on Oct. 19. Freeby achieved a personal record time of 21:27.33.

A total of 509 runners participated in the 6-kilometer women's race at the Brooks Invitational. In addition to earning her career-best time, Freeby also moved from fourth place into third place on Willamette's all-time list for the 6-kilometer distance.

Freeby's efforts helped the Bearcats place eighth in the women's team standings for the second year in a row. A total of 37 women's teams competed at this year's meet.

So far this season, Freeby has obtained three top 3 finishes in as many races. She won the women's 5-kilometer race in 17:23.16 at the Oak Knoll Loop Run, hosted by the Bearcats on Sept. 21. She also finished in first place at the 39th Annual Charles Bowles Invitational with a time of 17:30.15 over the 5-kilometer course.

The Bearcats are set to travel to Spokane, Wash., for the Northwest Conference Championships at the Downriver Golf Course on Saturday, Nov. 2. The meet will feature a 6-kilometer women's race and an 8-kilometer men's race. At the 2012 NWC Championships, Willamette took second place in the women's team standings, while Freeby placed third in the women's race.