Nov. 13, 2010

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - Behind leading runners Michael Coe and Deborah Maier, the Cal men's and women's cross country teams both posted strong finishes at the NCAA West Regional Championships Saturday. The Golden Bear men placed third - their highest ever in the race - while the Cal women were fifth for their best showing since 1988.

"Both the men and women ran exceptionally well today," head coach Tony Sandoval said. "The men were solid throughout the race and to beat Portland, a perennial cross country power, is significant. I'm so proud of the women especially because Chelsea Reilly didn't run because of a back injury. Mickey Davis filled in and ran a superb race. The women were especially tough over the last 2000 meters."

Individually, Coe was third among 178 runners, covering the 10,000-meter distance in 29:59.95. Richie Boulet, who was second in 1994, was the last Bear male to finish the meet in a better position.

Overall, the 22nd-ranked Cal men placed four runners in the top 20 and all five of their scorers in the top 30. Steve Sodaro was the second Bear across the line in 14th (30:26.31), followed closely by Kari Karlsson (15th, 30:29.87) and Maxime Chevee (18th, 30:32.36). Collin Jarvis was 30th in 30:46.53, with Cody Schmidt (72nd, 31:25.08) and Matt Petersen (111th, 31:58.88) rounding out the roster.

Portland's Trevor Dunbar was the individual winner in 29:57.89, just ahead of runner-up Stephen Sambu of Arizona (29:57.95). Coe was third just under two seconds back.

Sodaro moved up two spots from his 2009 result, when he led the Bears with a 16th-place finish. Karlsson was also six places better than last fall.

"Michael actually led into the final 50 meters, but nevertheless had his best cross country race ever," Sandoval said.

In the team competition, No. 3Oregon edged No. 2 Stanford, 63-65, with Cal third with 78 points and No. 13 Portland a distance fourth with 131 points. The Bears' previous best showing was fourth, a result they have achieved four times (2008, 2007, 1989, 1981).

For the women, Maier's runner-up finish was the best for a Cal woman ever at NCAA regionals. Kirsten O'Hara (1985), Sally Wood (1988) and Tenaya Soderman (1993) all placed third previously. Suzanne Richter claimed the 1981 AIAW regional title when most schools competed at the NCAA meet. Maier is also the first Bear to be in the top 10 since Bridget Duffy in 2003 (8th). Over her career, Maier has improved each season, going from 39th as a freshman in 2008 to 14th in '09 to this year's second-place result.

Oregon's Jordan Hasay crossed the line in first place in 20:01.90, with Maier five seconds back in 20:06.81 over 6,000 meters. Rowena Tam was the second Cal runner in 31st place (20:51.13). Freshman Heather Cerney took 35th in 20:58.38, with Michelle Davis 45th in 21:09.79 and Taylor Dutch 46th in 21:09.93. Laurynne Chetelat (68th, 21:29.51) and Sofia Oberg (111th, 22:05.29) also competed for the Bears.

"Deborah's race with Hasay wasn't settled until the last straightaway," Sandoval said. "We're waiting to see if the women get an at-large slot for NCAAs as they have run with so much heart."

As a team, Cal, which is ranked 26th nationally, tied for fifth with UC Santa Barbara with 159 points - the team's best result since the 1988 team was the regional runner-up. No. 11 Washington claimed the regional title with 73 points, just ahead of No. 7 Oregon (77), No. 4 Stanford (86) and No. 6 Arizona (90).

Both Cal teams now must wait to see if they can gain at-large berths to the 30-team NCAA Championships, which will be contested on Monday, Nov. 22, in Terre Haute, Ind.

NCAA West Regional Championships
Springfield Country Club
Springfield, Ore.

Men's Results - 10,000 meters
Team Results: 1. Oregon 63; 2. Stanford 65; 3. California 78; 4. Portland 131; 5. Arizona State 179; 6. Washington 216; 7. Boise State 249; 8. UCLA 267; 9. UC Davis 272; 10. Long Beach State 280; 11. UC Santa Barbara 302; 12. Cal Poly 351; 13. San Francisco 373; 14. Washington State 396; 15. Arizona 405; 16. Idaho 413; 17. UC Riverside 444; 18. UC Irvine 448; 19. Fresno State 459; 20. Loyola Marymount 517; 21. Santa Clara 586; 22. Sacramento State 593; 23. Cal State Fullerton 635; 24. San Diego 699; 25. Saint Mary's 756.

Individual Winner: Trevor Dunbar (Portland ) 29:57.89. Cal Finishers: 3. Michael Coe 29:59.95; 14. Steve Sodaro 30:26.31; 15. Kari Karlsson 30:29.87; 18. Maxime Chevee 30:32.36; 30. Collin Jarvis 30:46.53; 72. Cody Schmidt 31:25.08; 111. Matt Petersen 31:58.88.

Complete Men's Results

Women's Results - 6000 meters
Team Results: 1. Washington 73; 2. Oregon 77; 3. Stanford 86; 4. Arizona 90; 5. California 159; 5. UC Santa Barbara 159; 7. San Francisco 200; 8. Cal Poly 289; 9. Portland 303; 10. UCLA 312; 11. Long Beach State 313; 12. Loyola Marymount 344; 13. Arizona State 372; 14. Idaho 419; 15. UC Davis 454; 16. Washington State 486; 17. Oregon State 492; 18. UC Irvine 562; 19. UC Riverside 564; 20. Pepperdine 589; 21. Boise State 601; 22. Santa Clara 603; 23. Sacramento State 614; 24. Cal State Fullerton 671; 25. San Diego 721; 26. Fresno State 738; 27. UNLV 774; 28. San Diego State 788; 29. Saint Mary's 833; 30. Hawaii 880; 31. Cal State Bakersfield 888.

Individual Winner: Jordan Hasay (Oregon) 20:01.90. Cal Finishers: 2. Deborah Maier 20:06.81; 31. Rowena Tam 20:51.13; 35. Heather Cerney 20:58.38; 45. Michelle Davis 21:09.79; 46. Taylor Dutch 21:09.93; 68. Laurynne Chetelat 21:29.51; 111. Sofia Oberg 22:05:29.

Complete Women's Results