SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The Portland Pilots Men's Cross Country team has been selected to finish first in the 2024 WCC Preseason Coaches Poll, sharing the top spot with Gonzaga. This marks the second year in a row that the Pilots have been chosen finish first in the WCC Preseason Polls. Jona Bodirsky, Bradley Peloquin, and Matt Strangio to the 2024 All-WCC Preseason Team, marking the second consecutive year that Peloquin and Strangio have received the honor and the first time for Bodirsky.
The preseason poll and the WCC preseason team were selected by a vote of the eight program head coaches in the WCC. Coaches cannot vote for their own team or student-athletes.
Bodirsky delivered solid performances throughout the 2023 cross country season. He finished in the top three for the Pilots in both the NCAA West Regional and at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, running a PR of 29:41.2 at Regionals. He earned All-West Region honors as well in 2023.
Peloquin led the Pilots at the WCC Championships in 2022 finishing 10th, earning himself All-WCC Honors. He did not race in the 2023 cross country season, however. In outdoor season for track & field, he qualified for the NCAA West Regional in the 5,000-meter.
Strangio led the Pilots to a strong finish at the 2023 WCC Cross Country Championships, claiming the individual title with a time of 24:08.1, the first title for a Pilots since 2018. Strangio was named the 2023 WCC Runner of the Year, recognizing his outstanding season. He continued to excel at the West Regional Championships, where he finished second with a time of 28:59.5, the second-fastest in course history, earning his second all-region honors in a row. Strangio finished off the season with a 76th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the highest among the Pilots.
The Pilots' Men cross country program finished second at the 2023 WCC Championships before placing third at the NCAA West Regional Championships. The Pilots concluded their 2023 season with a 23rd-place national finish, having competed in their 19th NCAA Na.
See below for the full preseason poll and team.
2024 WCC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
| Place |
Team |
First Place |
Points |
| 1. |
Gonzaga |
4 |
46 |
| 1. |
Portland |
4 |
46 |
| 3. |
Santa Clara |
|
36 |
| 4. |
Washington State |
|
32 |
| 5. |
San Francisco |
|
24 |
| 6. |
Saint Mary's |
|
18 |
| 7. |
Pepperdine |
|
15 |
| 8. |
San Diego |
|
7 |
| 2024 Men's Cross Country Preseason All-WCC Team |
| Name |
Institution |
Yr. |
| Brian Barsaiya |
Washington State |
Sr. |
| Jona Bodirsky |
Portland |
Jr. |
| Bryce Cerkowniak |
Gonzaga |
Jr. |
| Drew Kolodge |
Gonzaga |
Sr. |
| Evans Kurui |
Washington State |
Fr. |
| Logan Law |
Gonzaga |
So. |
| Kelvin Limo |
Washington State |
Sr. |
| Bradley Peloquin |
Portland |
Jr. |
| Wil Smith |
Gonzaga |
Sr. |
| Matt Strangio |
Portland |
Jr. |
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