By: Ryan Lackey

SALEM, Ore. --- Amid a heavily-contested field at the 2015 Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational, the Bruins were encouragingly competitive: the men finished ninth of fifteen, and the women placed thirteenth among eighteen teams. On an individual scope, the day was truly remarkable: the top three runners for the men – Bryant Quinn, Ethan Patterson, and Josh Meyer – all set personal records in the 8k. Incredibly, the top four Bruin women also PR'd: Grace Ferguson, Kayla Moore, McKenzie Young, and Taylor Suwa all set new marks.

Recap:
As a team, the men had a spread of just 0:48.5, which reinforces the emphasis coach Randy Dalzell places on teamwork and community-oriented training.

Quinn's 26:21 paced the Bruins and won him 38^th overall. On his heels was Patterson, at 26:30, and Meyer, who ran 26:41. Finishing at 45th and 54th, respectively, is cause for especial optimism for the pair of freshmen.

The next group of Bruins included Colin Atchison in 61^st at 26:54, Christian Parr in 70^th at 27:90, and Spencer Elmore, who finished in 79^th and ran a 27:21.

Alex Lull placed 105^th with a 28:00. Behind Lull were Marcus Mateo (133rd), Riley Bushnell (134th), Jonathan Coleman 137th), and Devon Donahue (140th).

Humboldt State won the men's competition with a score of 43, boasting the fourth, fifth, and sixth-place finishers. Hosts Willamette took the silver, and Seattle University came in third.

The women had the fourth-smallest spread in the 5k: 0:57.1. Ferguson led with a very quick 19:25, good for 65^th; following closely was Moore, in 68^th with a 19:30. Also finishing in a near-pair were Young and Suwa: 90^th and 93^rd placed. Young recorded a 19:53, and Suwa timed in at 20:00.

In 114^th was Ashley Voss at 20:22, and, in 130^th, Raychel Clark with a 20:40. Emma Bidwell ran a 20:58 and placed 146^th. The next group of three Bruins all completed the 5k under 21:40: Caitlin Kereszturi in 154^th, Jenna Hills in 156^th, and Alyssa Malech in 159^th.

Rose Hernandez claimed 168^th with her 22:00.

Just behind Hernandez were Chloe Tomlinson (177^th), Allison Dalzell (180^th), Savannah Hamilton (182^nd), Allie Harris (183^rd), and Kaylee Copeland (184^th).

Portland State won the women's 5k with a score of 75; University of Portland were second, Seattle Pacific third.

Head Coach Randy Dalzell's Thoughts:
"We had a great race today," said Dalzell. "All the personal bests that we had proved that we are moving in the right direction. I'm hoping we can use this confidence for the second half of the season, especially next week when we host the Wes Cook/George Fox Invitational."

What Comes Next:
The Bruins will strap on their spikes again on October 10^th when they host the Wes Cook/George Fox Invitational.