PORTLAND, Ore. --- The future looks bright for the University of Portland men’s cross country program with the announcement that two of the top high school recruits in the nation have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Pilots next fall. Head coach Rob Conner calls the signings of Trevor Dunbar and Joash Osoro “the most important thing to happen to University of Portland cross country” in the extensive and successful history of the program.

Dunbar hails from Kodiak, Alaska and is the son of two former UP cross country runners. Osoro has lived in Bismarck, N.D. after coming to the United States from Kenya prior to high school.

“With the signing of Trevor and Joash we are bringing in two of the top five high school runners in the nation,” Conner said. “More importantly it will help land more national level guys in the future. We have a great record working with local runners and now by expanding the recruiting effort I am excited to see it pay off over the next four or five years at the national meet.

Portland tied its best finish in school history at the 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championship meet by finishing seventh overall. Graduating senior David Kinsella set a school record by placing fourth individually, but Conner and the Pilots will return All-American Alfred Kipchumba, All-West Region honoree Tommy Betterbed and sophomore Matt Frerker, who was Portland’s fourth finisher at the meet. With the addition of Dunbar and Osoro, Conner believes the sky is the limit.

“My goal has always been a (top four) trophy at the national meet and we have been very close,” Conner added. “With more talent and depth I am sure we can achieve that goal in the coming years.”

Dunbar garnered national acclaim in the running world earlier this year when he posted an Alaska state record in the 3,200-meter during a videotaped time trial in early November. He crossed the finish line with a time of 9:01 in what his since become a YouTube favorite.

He further enhanced his national profile by finishing third at the Foot Locker West Regionals on Dec. 6 with a 5K time of 15:43. He bettered that by placing second at the Foot Locker Nationals a week later with a time of 15:22. His 5K PR was set at the Adidas Cross Country Classic in Portland, Ore. on Oct. 11, 2008 clocking in at 14:47.7.

A three-time Alaska State Cross Country champion, Dunbar is arguably the best runner to ever come out the state.

“I ran with Trevor’s mom and dad on the team here at Portland,” Conner said. “I can’t think of a more natural place for him to go to college. His mom was an All American for the Pilots back in the 1980’s and his dad ran a 4-minute mile after college. More importantly for Trevor is the fact that his family has modeled a love of running. I’ve never seen a more motivated high school recruit. The signing of Trevor Dunbar may be the most important thing to happen to UP cross country in the program’s history. His impact will not only be felt in his performance, but also in his ability to help attract other national level recruits to our program.”

Osoro is a two time North Dakota prep runner of the year and was named the North Dakota High School Coaches Association Outstanding senior athlete for Cross Country last season. A two-time North Dakota State Cross Country champion for Bismarck High School, Osoro also won the 1600m and 3200m events at the 2008 state track championships.

He earned national recognition by placing third at the 2008 Nike Team Nationals held in Portland on Dec. 6 with a time of 15:18 at the 5K meet. Osoro also won the 2008 Roy Griak Invitational Gold Division, featuring top high school runners in the region.

 “When I saw Joash run at the Nike Team Nationals I knew immediately that he was the runner for us,” Conner said. “He is a naturally talented long distance runner and the perfect recruit for our program. Joash has only been running a short time and is rapidly improving.

“Trevor and Joash are two of a select few guys who I feel can have an immediate impact on the college scene next fall,” Conner said. “I am very excited to add them to the team.”