PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Pilots Men's Cross Country and Track Head Coach Rob Conner has added two of the best junior college recruits in the nation to the team in Daniel Abdala and Ahmed Sado. Abdala comes in as a junior while Sado joins the Pilots as a sophomore.

"We are very excited to announce the addition of two the top junior college prospects in the nation," Conner said.

Abdala joins the Pilots from Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. Abdala was dominant at the junior college level in both cross country and track, taking first at the CCCAA 2021 Cross Country State Championships and winning both the 10,000m and the 5,000m at the CCCAA Track & Field State Championships. He has posted personal bests of 13:58.91 in the 5,000m and 29:19.23 in the 10,000m.

"Daniel is a prototypical Pilot long distance runner who we think can break 29:00 in his first season with us," Conner said. "That is instant offense! Great team guy who makes us better right now."

Sado was the runner-up in the steeplechase this past spring at the NJCAA Track & Field Championships and was stellar in several events this year with Trinidad State Junior College in Colorado. Sado was also a cross-country runner for Adams State two seasons ago, placing 18^th at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships and earning All-American honors. Sado has personal bests of 1:52.55 in the 800m, 3:49.14 in the 1,500m, 14:07.07 in the 5000m and 8:52.60 in the steeplechase.

"Ahmed is extremely versatile," Conner said. "We think he fits best in the steeple at this level, but he will definitely be a force for us in cross country too. Mature young man who will be a great culture guy and outstanding contributor."

Abdala and Sado add to what is already a strong 2022 class for Conner and the Pilots. Earlier this month, Conner announced the addition of 10 new runners for both the cross country and track teams.

The Pilots are coming off another strong season in both cross country and track. For cross country, the Pilots finished 16^th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, marking their 18^th top 20 finish under Conner. Cathal Doyle also qualified for the NCAA Track & Field Championships this past spring, marking the 29^th time in 30 years that a Pilot has competed at nationals.