MONMOUTH, Ore.---It was a tight race until the very end, and Pilots men's runner Justin Hazell overtook first-place at the finish line to collect an individual win in the 8K race at the Mike Johnson Classic on Friday evening. Hazell finished with a new personal best of 24:49.8 in the event, and the Portland men finished at the top of the table in the team scores with 26 total points on the night. Portland newcomer Evelyn Collins-Winn crossed first for the Pilots women, clocking in at 22:28.30 in the 6K while jumping five spots in the last split.
 
Clement Leduc finished second for the Portland men in fourth-place overall with a time of 25:20.4—good for a new personal record—and Thomas Salas followed soon after in sixth-place at 25:24.3. Kai Vickers (25:32.5) and AJ Reyes (25:32.5) notched the eighth and 10th place spots, respectively, to round out all scorers—and both claimed new PRs on the course.

"Another great race for Justin and the team was strong behind him," said men's head coach Rob Conner. "Really proud that those guys won the meet!"

Over on the women's side, Lacey Conner came in at 25th-place in 23:23.95 as Portland's second finisher, and Lauren Block was next in 44th-place with a time of 24:25.57 in the 6K. Grace Oswin produced a time of 25:21.80 to land in 63rd, and McKenna Cowan closed out the women's team's scorers in 69th-place with a time of 25:21.80.
 
Sophomore Alexa Hague found that second-gear near the end of the course, passing 21 places on her way to a time of 26:51.90.
 
"It was super-hot, tough conditions but everyone battled well," said women's head coach Ian Solof. "Evelyn ran a fantastic race and really showed her potential."

The meet honors former Portland cross country coach Mike Johnson, who Rob Conner competed for during his time at UP, and who retired from Western Oregon just last year.

The Pilots men's and women's cross country teams will make their next appearance at the Charles Bowles Invitational on Saturday, October 2.
 
Mike Johnson Classic
Monmouth, Ore.
September 24, 2021
 
Women's Team Results—6K
1. Simon Fraser 30
2. Eastern Washington 78
3. Portland State 113
4. Cal St. East Bay 129
5. Western Oregon 150
6. Pacific (Ore.) 157
7. Alaska Fairbanks 164
8. (RV) Portland 171
9. George Fox 233
10. Linfield 291
11. UO Running Club 313
12. Willamette 326
13. Chemeketa CC 369
 
Portland Individual Women
6. Evelyn Collins-Winn (22:28.30) PR*
25. Lacey Conner (23:23.95)
44. Lauren Block (24:25.57)
63. Grace Oswin (25:21.80)
69. McKenna Cowan (25:21.80) PR*
82. Alexa Hague (26:51.90) PR*
 
Men's Team Results—8K
1. No. 19 Portland 26
2. Simon Fraser 47
3. Eastern Washington 69
4. Cal St. East Bay 151
5. Western Oregon 154
6. Pacific (Ore.) 165
7. George Fox 188
8. Portland State 207
9. UO Running Club 243
10. Willamette 279
11. Linfield 326
12. Alaska Fairbanks 356
13. Multnomah 399
14. Everett CC 401
 
Portland Individual Men
1. Justin Hazell (24:49.8) PR
4. Clement Leduc (25:20.4)
6. Thomas Salas (25:24.3)
8. Kai Vickers (25:32.5) PR
10. AJ Reyes (25:36.5) PR
11. Cameron Thompson (25:40.4)
26. Paul Law (26:14.6)
33. Charlie McIntyre (26:34.6) PR*
38. Jake Knoblich (26:51.2)
 
PR* denotes first time competing in the event as a Pilot