SALEM, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon Cross Country team continued their tradition of never missing a Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational, this time securing a 1st place finish on the men’s side.
Competing with schools ranging from DI to community colleges, the Mountaineers faced stiff competition throughout both races.. In the men’s 8K, Justin Ash found himself leading the men’s side, finishing 9th overall, clocking in a time of 24:38. Following him was Hunter Nichols, who found himself clocking in a time of 24:57, finishing 15th. Cristian Mendoza wasn’t too far behind, grabbing 17th at 24:59. Thomas Ogden and Winston Telford also put up respective times, placing 26th and 32nd. All these individual performances paid off for the Mounties, pushing them towards the top place finish.
“Let’s go!” said said Head Coach Ben Welch. “It took 48 years and far too many (often close) second place finishes to win this thing, but the guys gor er done!”
For the women, 5K Eastern finished 13th overall as a team, and Riley Morris put up a time of 18:55, placing 52nd. Lauryn Mitchell ran a 19:11, finishing 62nd. Other notable finishes were Mattie Woodbury (19:40, 88th) and Madelyn Nichols (19:41, 91st).
EOU cross country men and women will continue competition on October 14th in Estacada, Oregon, at Lewis and Clark College.
EOU Cross Country Wins Historic 48th Charles Bowles Invitational
