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The University of Portland men’s and women’s cross country teams will get a good early-season test when they travel south to Springfield, Ore. for the Bill Dellinger Invitational on Saturday. The women’s meet features four ranked teams, while the men’s race has five ranked squads, including the No. 7 Pilots.

 

The women’s race starts at 10:30 a.m. and the men’s race is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. at Springfield Country Club.

 

The men’s race will feature the defending national champion Oregon Ducks, along with four other squads ranked among the nation’s top 25. Competition should be entertaining among No. 1 Oregon, No. 5 Alabama, No. 7 Portland, No. 17 Texas-El Paso and No. 23 Cal Poly, in addition to solid teams from Colorado State, Penn State, UCLA (also receiving votes) and Weber State.

 

The women’s race has the top-ranked Ducks joined by No. 11 Arkansas, No. 17 Colorado State and No. 23 Brigham Young, in addition to Cal State Fullerton, Penn State (also receiving votes), Portland (also receiving votes), Texas-El Paso and Wake Forest.

 

This is the first men’s varsity race for Portland this season and will feature senior All-American David Kinsella, freshman phenom Alfred Kipchumba and other up-and-coming Pilot runners. Portland is ranked No. 7 in the latest USTFCCCA poll and No. 2 in the West Region behind top-ranked Oregon.

 

The UP women ran well last weekend at the Roy Griak Invitational, finishing fifth behind four ranked teams. Senior Sifrash Ademe paced Portland with a 15th-place finish, while junior Dana Morgan was an individual qualifier for the 2007 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Portland is receiving votes in the latest national poll and moved up to No. 6 in the West Region rankings.

 

For a free and live video webcast Saturday’s meet and live updates throughout morning, visit www.goducks.com.

 

2008 Bill Dellinger Invitational Meet Information

Saturday, October 4

Springfield Country Club (Springfield, Ore.)

 

Women’s Race

Start Time: 10:30 a.m.

Details: 6,000 Meters (two loops)

Teams: No. 11 Arkansas, No. 22 Brigham Young, Cal State Fullerton, No. 14 Colorado State, No. 1 Oregon, Penn State, Portland, Texas-El Paso, Wake Forest

 

Men’s Race

Start Time: 11:15 a.m.

Details: 8,000 Meters (three loops)

Teams: No. 5 Alabama, No. 21 Cal Poly, Colorado State, No. 1 Oregon, Penn State, No. 7 Portland, UCLA,. No. 12 Texas-El Paso, Weber State

 

Parking

Spectator parking is available at Mohawk Elementary School on Sunderman Road. Free shuttle buses will transport spectators to Springfield Country Club and will run continuously between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Directions to Mohawk Elementary: Take Highway 105/126 East to the 42nd Street/Marcola exit. Turn left on 42nd Street and follow that for 0.4 miles to Marcola Road. Proceed right on Marcola Road for 5.5 miles, going one mile past Springfield Country Club. Turn right on Sunderman Road and Mohawk Elementary will be on the right.

 

The Course

The Bill Dellinger Invitational is a 2,000 meter loop. The course is laid out on the back nine holes at Springfield Country Club along the Mohawk River. Fans are reminded they are NOT allowed to walk on greens or tee boxes, and are asked to stay off fairways as much as possible.