Season finishes for cross country

Portland State concluded the 2001 season on Saturday with a tough battle at the Big Sky Championships in Cheney, Wash. As nationally ranked Northern Arizona University ran away with first place on both the men’s and women’s sides, the Portland State men placed second from last at seventh, and the women placed last at eighth.

“It was a really good learning experience for our young runners,” assistant coach Mike Hickey stated in a recent press release.

The Vikings challenged competitors from Eastern Washington and Sacramento State before finally placing eighth. Jenny Rodgers once again led the women, finishing 18th overall with a time of 18:57.

Anne Kawasaki finished with a time of 19:10, to place 24th overall, and the sixth best time of any freshmen at the meet. Other finishers in the 5,000-meter course for the women were: Ashley Tendick (49th), Megan Lucas (52nd), and Brooke Teller (53rd).

In men’s action, Evan Garich led the way for the Vikings, managing to finish with a time of 26:42, 30th overall in the field. Paul Loprinzi finished 35th overall, and with a personal record for the season at 26:51. Other finishers for the Vikings on the 8,000-meter course included: Mike Kebbe (40th), Kyle Boyd (42nd), and Chris Hollis (45th).