EUGENE, Ore. – The Portland Pilots men's and women's cross country teams cruised to team wins at the Oregon XC Open on Friday morning at Lane Community College. The Pilot women posted a team score of 32 in defeating four other programs, including two nationally-ranked programs and another receiving votes in this week's USTFCCCA Coaches' Poll.
Portland's women's team received seven votes in the coaches' poll, but is sure to rise in the rankings after a dominating performance. West Coast Conference rival San Francisco, also receiving national votes, finished second at the meet with 47 team points. No. 21 Oregon State (48), Gonzaga (108) and No. 24 Oregon (136) rounded out the team scores.
Five Pilot women finished in the Top 11 individually led by Anna Pataki in fourth place with a time of 17:00.3 on the 5K course. Returners Stella Gillman (17:02.6) and Victoria Weir (17:08.2) took the sixth and seventh places, respectively, while junior Emma Jenkins garnered ninth place in a time of 17:12.08. Verlee Bakker was Portland's fifth scorer in 11th place at 17:15.4. Sofia Castiglioni finished in 23rd place at 17:52.2 to establish a new personal best.
"The team ran great!" said women's head coach Ian Solof. "They competed so well and earned some big wins that should help us get to nationals. I was especially impressed by Vic and Verlee, but the whole group fought hard and got it done."
The No. 7-ranked Pilot men finished with a team score of 20 to cruise past No. 10 Oregon (45) and unranked San Francisco (71) in the three-team men's race.
Pilot newcomer Stan Niesten crossed first for the Pilots on his way to second-place overall in the 8K meet with a time of 24:07.9. Jacob Klemz was soon to follow in third place at 24:10.7, Cathal Doyle placed fourth in 24:26.1 and veteran George Duggan would take fifth at 24:31.9.
Matt Strangio completed the race in a time of 24:33.0 for sixth in his Pilots debut and Riley Osen finished in seventh-place at 24:34.7.
Portland's previously scheduled home meet on Feb. 14 has been cancelled, so the Pilots will have a short break before gearing up for the WCC Championships in Las Vegas, Nev., on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
Oregon XC Open
Eugene, Ore.
February 5, 2021
Women's Team Results – 5K
1. (RV) Portland 32
2. (RV) San Francisco 47
3. (#21) Oregon State 48
4. Gonzaga 108
5. (#24) Oregon 136
Portland Individual Women
4. Anna Pataki (17:00.3) PR*
6. Stella Gillman (17:02.6) PR
7. Victoria Weir (17:08.2) PR*
9. Emma Jenkins (17:12.08) PR*
11. Verlee Bakker (17:15.4) PR*
23. Sofia Castiglioni (17:52.2) PR
30. McKenna Smith (18:05.7) PR*
32. Samantha Prusse (18:08.9) PR*
33. Mie Gam Nielsen (18:10.2) PR*
40. Teresa Perez (18:37.0) PR*
Men's Team Results – 8K
1. (#7) Portland 20
2. (#10) Oregon 45
3. San Francisco 71
Portland Individual Men
2. Stan Niesten (24:07.9) PR*
3. Jacob Klemz (24:10.7) PR*
4. Cathal Doyle (24:26.1) PR*
5. George Duggan (24:31.9)
6. Matt Strangio (24:33.0) PR*
7. Riley Osen (24:34.7)
10. Eliason Kabaschenche (24:45.6) PR*
12. Chris Anderson (24:55.2) PR*
13. John Kavulich (24:59.3) PR
14. Zak Kirk (25:02.5) PR*
15. Leo Donlea (25:04.3) PR*
16. Justin Hazell (25:05.1)
18. Clement Leduc (25:19.8)
20. Cameron Thompson (25:27.5)
22. Paul Law (25:44.1) PR*
26. AJ Reyes (25:44.1) PR*
27. Jake Knoblich (26:05.7)
28. Luke Knoblich (26:14.6) PR*
29. Kai Vickers (26:36.6) PR*
33. James Parker (27:36.2)
PR* denotes first PR in the event as a member of Portland's programs
