The University of Portland Cross Country teams continued their 2002 seasons today with an 8000 meter men’s race and a 5000 meter women’s race at Bush’s Pasture Park in Salem, OR. The course was mild and overcast at 60 degrees, and was no factor in Portland’s success today. The Pilot men raced their ‘A’ squad and notched a first-place showing with 21 points. The Pilot women placed seventh in the meet with 142 points.

Full men’s team results are as follows: 1st, University of Portland 21; 2nd, University of Idaho 65; 3rd, Cal St. Fullerton 69; 4th, Auburn University 86; 5th, Portland State University 103.

“It was a great race for us, especially considering that it was our first race of our “A” squad this season,” said Head Coach Rob Conner. “It was obvious that most of the guys didn't really have the feel for racing yet. Some went out too fast and some went out too slow, so I expect the racing effort and strategy to be more consistent next time out.”

Full women’s team results are as follows: 1st, University of Idaho 46; 2nd, Auburn University 47; 3rd, University of Oregon 110; 4th University of Hawaii 133; 5th, Santa Clara University 138; 6th, Portland State University 139; 7th, University of Portland 142; 8th, Cal St. Fullerton 180; 9th, University of Washington 194.

“Santa Clara are the defending woman’s champions and ran extremely well today,” said Conner. “Our focus and our objective this season is to win the conference title back. It will be a great race in a month. Everyone associated with Pilot cross country is looking forward to the WCC championships.”

Portland’s Jeff Driscoll crossed the line in 24:00.74 for an eighth-place finish. Driscoll was just ahead of teammates Matt Harriman (12th-place, 24:12.48 3) and Kevin Smith (13th-place, 24:15.09). Other Portland finishers included Trevor Coolidge (26th, 24:37.86), Steve Schaefer (27th, 24:41.68), Joey Hord (48th, 25:09.20), Chad Killian (76th, 25:49.26), Brandon Wedam (96th, 26:17.71), Josh Singsaas (104th, 26:44.55), Brian Murphy (107th, 26:47.08) and Brett Hargrave (115th, 27:03.99).

“Jeff Driscoll ran about what I expected,” said Conner. “I felt he could run faster than the course record and he did that. I was very happy to see Kevin Smith running with Matt Harriman. That gives us three guys up front within 15 seconds, and most teams won't be able to match that. Trevor showed us the tip of the iceberg today. He is going to be a major force in the years to come. He is very young in terms of training age. We have been very conservative with his training volume. Right now he has only done five 60-mile training weeks this year.”

For the women, Pilot veteran Nicole Ricci finished first for Portland, 16th overall in a time of 17:42.32. Teammate Alison Smith came in just behind Ricci in 20th-place with a time of 17:47.10. Other Pilot scorers included Jodi Minard (52nd, 18:46.29), Hannah Coombe (54th, 18:49.41), Kathy Rice (61st, 18:59.53), Kristen Rohde (64th, 19:04.04), Sarah Grue (72nd, 19:16.01), Michelle Pierce (73rd, 19:16.59), Chine Metzen (77th, 19:19.73), Elise Sabin (81st, 19:27.93) and Erin Gerhardt (85th, 19:35.28).

“Nicole has had a lingering cold for the last couple of weeks,” said Conner. “With the stresses of school and training she hasn't been able to shake it. It was a very close team race with just a few points separating four teams. When we get completely healthy we will be fine.”