September 19, 2011

SUNDODGER INVITATIONAL: Three Bruins Set New Personal Records at UW Meet

SEATTLE, Wash. - Three of the four George Fox University men’s cross country runners who competed in the Men’s Open race at the Sundodger Invitational meet, hosted by the University of Washington, established new personal records in the 8,000 meter run this past Saturday here at Lincoln Park.

The top runner for the Bruins, who did not receive a team score because five entrants are necessary for one, was Joseph Pia, who came in 50th out of 234 runners in the field with a time of 26:01.92. Other Bruins in the event were Kyle Dreibelbis, 112th at 26:50.70; Austin Morrell, 113th at 26:52.18; and Allen Cassel, 124th at 27:03.83. Pia, Morrell,and Cassel all set new personal marks at the 8K distance.

Pia, Dreibelbis, and Cassel were competing in their first race of the new fall season. Morrell ran in the Bruins’ first meet of the season, the Pioneer Open hosted by Lewis & Clark College on Sept. 10 at McIver State Park in Estacada, Ore.

The final results of the Men’s Open race, which was composed of small college teams from several different levels and organizations, were delayed due to some scoring difficulties. Scoring for the day’s other three races came off without a hitch.

Three Bruin women also established new personal records in the Women’s 6K Open race at the Sundodger Invitational: Kate Freiheit at 23:48.58 (64th), Chelsea Sowards at 24:26.92 (102nd), and Alisha Haresnape at 25:15.64 (135th).

“Six PR’s - It was a good early-season meet!” observed Jeff Larson, the George Fox assistant coach under head coach John Smith who handles most of the team’s business.

NEXT: George Fox will find out more about its Northwest Conference opponents next Saturday when the Bruins compete in the Linfield College Preview Meet at Willamette Mission State Park near Brooks, Ore. The first race is slated to begin at 10:00 a.m.