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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University has announced its cross country schedule for the 2015 season. The schedule includes a total of four regular season meets, followed by the NWC Championships, NCAA West Regional and NCAA Championships.

A highlight of the season with be the 41st Annual Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational, which the Bearcats will host at Bush's Pasture Park on Oct. 3. The meet is named after former Willamette cross country and track and field Head Coach Charles Bowles, who was inducted into the Willamette University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. Bowles passed away in 2005.

Each year, the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational is one of the largest collegiate cross country meets on the West Coast. In 2014, the Bearcats placed second in the women's NCAA team standings during the meet, while the Willamette men's team took third place.

The Bearcats will begin the 2015 season at the Ash Creek Preserve Invitational hosted by Western Oregon University on Sept. 11. After returning to action at the Willamette Invitational, the Bearcats will take one weekend off from competition.

A select group of WU runners will compete at the AAE Invitational on Oct. 17 in Winneconne, Wisconsin. The meet will be hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, with the men's and women's races held at the Lake Breeze Golf Course. Also on Oct. 17, a second group of Bearcats will participate in the Lewis & Clark Invitational at McIver State Park in Estacada, Oregon.

The NWC Championships will be hosted by Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Washington, on Oct. 31. The NCAA West Regional will be held at the Pomona College campus course in Claremont, California, on Nov. 14, with Occidental College serving as the host. The NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships are set for Nov. 21 in Winneconne, Wisconsin.