Pia, Freiheit Earn BAA Weekly Awards; Bruin Men Ranked 10th in West Region

NEWBERG, Ore. - After winning the men’s and women’s college division races in the Pacific Dual / Bear Fete cross country meet this past Saturday, George Fox University’s Joseph Pia and Kate Freiheit have been named the Bruin Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Athletes of the Week respectively for the week of Sept. 26-Oct. 2.

In addition, Pia and Freiheit received honorable mention for the Northwest Conference Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Student-Athletes of the Week awards for the same time period.

Pia won the 5K race over the Champoeg State Heritage Area course with a hand-timed 15:36, 11 seconds ahead of Brandon Workman, who was one of several George Fox alumni (and a couple of Pacific University alumni) who came back to the university to compete in the event.  He was 24 seconds ahead of the second-fastest active college runner, Gerardo Sanchez of Pacific.  The performance by Pia, a sophomore from Newberg, led the Bruins to a 28-29 win over Pacific in the dual meet. 

In the women’s 5K race, which was held at the same time as the men due to a limited field, Freiheit finished second overall to former Pacific runner Samantha Lee, who ran an 18:29.48.  The junior from Hayfield, Minn., ran a 19:22, which was the best among all active college runners in the race, just ahead of teammate Chelsea Sowards’ 19:35.  However, Pacific was able to pull out a 26-29 victory in the dual meet.

The George Fox Athlete of the Week Award for both men and women is presented throughout the Bruin sports seasons by the Bruin Athletic Association, whose mission is to provide George Fox student-athletes with an outstanding athletic and academic experience and to strengthen the overall competitiveness of the Bruin athletics program.  For more information about the organization or to become a member, visit the Bruin Athletic Association website. 

2011-12 Bruin Athletic Association Men’s Athletes of the Week

Aug. 29-Sept. 4 - Jacob Baker (Soccer)

Sept. 5-11 - Luke Hammer (Soccer)

Sept. 12-18 - Mike Ulstad (Golf)

Sept. 19-25 - Shawn Aldrich (Tennis)

Sept. 26-Oct. 2 - Joseph Pia (Cross Country)

2011-12 Bruin Athletic Association Women’s Athletes of the Week

Aug. 29-Sept. 4 - Patti Reeves (Volleyball)

Sept. 5-11 - Melanie Gaither (Soccer)

Sept. 12-18 - Kelsey Morrison (Golf)

Sept. 19-25 - Megan McGrew (Golf)

Sept. 26-Oct. 2 - Kate Freiheit (Cross Country)

USTFCCCA RANKINGS: Bruin Men 10th in West Region Ratings of Oct. 4

With their dual-meet win over Pacific on Oct. 1, the George Fox men’s team has moved back into the NCAA Division III Men’s Cross Country West Region rankings as determined by the United State Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association at No. 10 in the fourth ratings of the season for Oct. 4.  The Bruins were ninth in the pre-season ratings, slipped to 10th in the first week’s poll, and re-entered the rankings this week after being absence for the previous two polls ... Pomona-Pitzer is the top team in the West ... All USTFCCCA regional and national rankings made be found on line at http://www.ustfccca.org/category/rankings-polls/cross-country-polls.

NEXT: Sat., Oct. 15, 10 a.m. - Boxer Rebellion, Sunset Grove GC, Forest Grove, Ore.

The Bruins are off this weekend, and will next compete in the Boxer Rebellion, hosted by Pacific University, at the Sunset Grove Golf Course in Forest Grove, Ore., on Saturday, Oct. 15.  The first race is set to begin at 10:00 a.m.