LAS VEGAS, Nev.— Portland junior Anna Pataki crossed the finish line more than eight seconds ahead of the next runner to claim the women's individual title at the West Coast Conference Cross Country Championships Wednesday morning at Craig Ranch Regional Park.

Pataki, who finished 11th at the conference meet last season, becomes the 14th Pilot to win the WCC women's individual title and the first since Lauren LaRocco in 2016. She posted a new personal best of 19:56.0 in the 6K meet, and the 25th-ranked Pilots placed second in the team scores with 49 points behind only No. 2-ranked BYU (28).

Victoria Weir and Stella Gillman also earned Top-10 finishes for the Pilot women to join Pataki on the All-WCC First Team. Weir placed sixth overall with a time of 20:32.9 that was good for a new PR, and Gillman was close behind in seventh at 20:42.5, also a new PR.
 
Emma Jenkins crossed the finish line in 17th place at 21:18.8 and Sofia Castiglioni capped the scoring for the Pilot women in 19th place.

"The team ran great today!" said women's head coach Ian Solof. "I am so proud of how much toughness they showed in the race. That's a huge win for Anna and another big race for Vic. I'm confident we will get an NCAA berth and another chance to run hard in a couple weeks."

The No. 8 Pilot men's team finished in third place overall, while Evert Silva earned All-WCC First Team honors with his sixth-place time of 23:27.8 in the 8K race.

Top-ranked BYU won the men's title with 25 points, while Gonzaga – who is receiving votes in the national poll – finished second.

Jacob Klemz, Zak Kirk, and Stan Niesten collected All-WCC Second Team honors for the Pilots, with Klemz finishing in 12th place at 23:47.7, Kirk in 13th place at 23:49.6, and Niesten in 14th at  23:50.7. Cathal Doyle was the last scorer for the Pilot men in 18th place, running the race in a time of 24:09.6.

The Pilots now await NCAA Championships selections which will be announced on March 7. The NCAA Cross Country Championships are scheduled for March 15 in Stillwater, Okla. 
 
2020 WCC Cross Country Championships
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Craig Ranch Regional Park | North Las Vegas, Nev.

Women's Team Results (6K) 
1. #2 BYU – 28
2. #25 Portland – 49 
3. #30 San Francisco – 68
4. Gonzaga – 98
5. San Diego – 178
6. Saint Mary's – 200
7. Santa Clara – 201
8. Loyola Marymount – 206
9. Pacific – 253
10. Pepperdine – 294

Portland Individual Women
1. Anna Pataki* (19:56.0) PR
6. Victoria Weir* (20:32.9) PR
7. Stella Gillman* (20:42.5) PR
17. Emma Jenkins (21:18.8) 
19. Sofia Castiglioni (21:36.2) 
23. Veerle Bakker (21:47.7) PR
25. Samantha Prusse (21:55.1) PR
27. Mie Gam Nielsen (21:59.5) PR
39. McKenna Smith (22:54.6) PR
60. Teresa Perez (23:52.3) PR
 
Men's Team Results (8K) 
1. #1 BYU – 25
2. (RV) Gonzaga – 51
3. #8 Portland – 62
4. Santa Clara – 108
5. Pepperdine – 169
6. San Francisco – 176
7. Loyola Marymount – 203
8. Saint Mary's – 221
9. San Diego – 238

Portland Individual Men
6. Evert Silva* (23:27.8) PR
12. Jacob Klemz* (23:47.7) PR
13. Zak Kirk* (23:49.6) PR
14. Stan Niesten* (23:50.7) PR
18. Cathal Doyle (24:09.6) PR
21. Bradley Peloquin (24:20.8) PR
27. Eliason Kabaschenche (24:39.6) PR
37. George Duggan (25:18.6)
49. Riley Osen (25:56.4)
 
* Top 10 Individuals All-WCC First Team; 11-15 All-WCC Second Team