CONCORD, Calif.---The No. 17 Pilots men's cross country team ran into third-place as a squad at the West Coast Conference Championships at Newhall Community Park on Friday afternoon, with Zak Kirk and Stan Niesten each claiming All-WCC First Team honors, and Bradley Peloquin and George Duggan nabbing spots on the All-WCC Second Team.
 
Kirk produced a stellar chase throughout the 8K event, moving up the entire time—and jumping nine spots at the 5K split—to finish with a new personal best of 23:48.3 at the line. Niesten rolled in just after with a new PR of 23:50.1, collecting 10th-place individually. Both men notched All-WCC recognition for the second year running at the meet.
 
Peloquin stuck around in the Top-20 throughout the course, clocking in at 23:56.8 to secure 12th-place overall by the end, improving on his 21st-place finish at last year's conference championships.
 
Duggan snatched the 15th-place spot in a time of 24:02.9, and Jacob Klemz followed suit in 17th with a time of 24:10.0 to close out the scoring for the Portland program.
 
Leo Donlea crossed the line at 24:20.0, good for 21st-place, and Jonas Gertsen, who led the race after the first split, ended the day in 26th.
 
No. 7 BYU continues a dominant showing at the WCC Championships, accumulating just 24 points, and were led by Conner Mantz's third individual title in a row at the meet. No. 13 Gonzaga finished just ahead of Portland in second place with 50 points on the day.
 
The Pilots are back in action in a couple of weeks at the NCAA West Regional Meet, to be held in Sacramento, Calif. on Friday, November 12th.
 
Men's Team Results—8K
1. No. 7 BYU 24
2. No. 13 Gonzaga 50
3. No. 17 Portland 63
4. Santa Clara 113
5. Saint Mary's 157
6. Pepperdine 185
7. Loyola Marymount 191
8. San Francisco 218
9. San Diego 238
 
Portland Individual Men
9. Zak Kirk* (23:48.3) PR
10. Stan Niesten* (23:50.1) PR
12. Bradley Peloquin* (23:56.8)
15. George Duggan* (24:02.9)
17. Jacob Klemz (24:10.0)
21. Leo Donlea (24:20.0)
26. Jonas Gertsen (24:30.2)
27. Matt Strangio (24:33.8)
38. Clement Leduc (25:06.7)
57. Justin Hazell (26:05.2)
 
* Top 10 Individuals All-WCC First Team; 11-15 All-WCC Second Team