PORTLAND, Ore.---The Pilots men's and women's cross country teams began their delayed seasons in strong fashion, taking two individual wins while hosting the Seattle U Redhawks in a dual meet on the Portland campus Sunday morning.
 
Sophomore McKenna Smith collected the top finish in the women's 5.32K race, while junior John Kavulich claimed first place in the men's 7.47K.
 
The Pilots took the top two spots in the women's race, with Smith winning it in 21:33.0, and newcomer Tait Rowley finishing second in a time of 21:40.0. Sophomore Grace Ritchie finished in fourth at 21:47.7, and senior Lacey Conner collected fifth place in 22:10.4. Sophomores Lauren Block (22:20.5) and Makenna Cowan (23:13.0) would take the sixth and seventh spots, respectively.
 
"It was great to see our team racing again today!" said women's head coach Ian Solof. "Our women looked really strong and competed well. Tait Rowley was a pleasant surprise and impressed me today."
 
On the men's side, the 10th-ranked Pilots were led by Kavulich and Leo Donlea, who got out front early and would stay there for the four laps around campus. Kavulich would win it in 24:18.9, and Donlea was close behind at 24:28.3. The Pilots would claim the top eight places against the Redhawks, with sophomore AJ Reyes in third at 24:52.6, and Jake Knoblich in fourth at 24:56.7. Freshman Paul Law finished fifth at 24:57.4, while veteran James Parker rounded out the scoring with his sixth place finish of 24:59.1.
 
"The guys did a great job under difficult conditions, it was extremely muddy," said men's head coach Rob Conner. "John Kavulich and Leo Donlea showed their strength and controlled the race from the gun. I was really impressed with the races of Jake Knoblich and Paul Law, who ran even and moved up through the pack. Overall, very pleased with the team's efforts!"
 
Both teams will race again on Friday, February 5th, down in Eugene for the Oregon Meet hosted by the Ducks. Start times for those races are still TBA.
 
Portland Individuals vs. Seattle U
Portland, Ore.
January 31, 2021
 
Women's 5K
1. McKenna Smith (21:33.0)
2. Tait Rowley (21:40.0)
4. Grace Ritchie (21:47.7)
5. Lacey Conner (22:10.4)
6. Lauren Block (22:20.5)
7. Makenna Cowan (23:13.0)
 
Men's 8K
1. John T. Kavulich (24:18.9)
2. Leo Donlea (24:28.3)
3. AJ Reyes (24:52.6)
4. Jake Knoblich (24:56.7)
5. Paul Law (24:57.4)
6. James Parker (24:59.1)
7. Luke Knoblich (25:01.5)
8. Cameron Thompson (25:02.9)
10. Kai Vickers (25:15.9)
14. Will Bush (25:35.6)
15. Jack Klines (25:46.4)