Nov. 12, 2009

San Francisco men's and women's cross country is set to compete in the NCAA Western Regionals, hosted by the University of Oregon at the Springfield Country Club on Saturday, November 14. The men's 10K begins at 9:45AM, with the women's 6k following at 10:45 AM. The Dons previously ran this course at the Bill Dellinger Invitational in early October.

The West Region includes colleges from the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington (with the exception of Idaho State and Northern Arizona who compete in the Mountain Region).

The top two men's and women's teams from each of nine regionals being conducted around the country on Saturday will automatically advance to the NCAA Championships Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Ind. There are an additional 13 at-large bids available. The top four individuals in the top 25 not on qualifying teams will advance to the NCAA Championships. There are two individual at-large berths.

Men's 10K: The men's race starts at 9:45 AM and the 28 team field includes four top-20 ranked teams. The Dons will compete with No. 1 Stanford, No. 3 Oregon, No. 13 Arizona, and No. 17 Washington, among others.

San Francisco will send senior Alex Nelson, junior Josh Horeled, Ravi Amarawansa, and sophomores Ganbileg Bor, Jeremy Grace, Devin Hopkins, Tyler Alvarez, and Will Marquardt. Bor was the Dons highest ever finisher in 2008, coming in 38th, and helping the Dons to a 16th place finish.

Women's 6K: The women's race begins at 10:45 AM and the 28 team field includes six top-30 ranked teams. Among others, the Dons will compete with No. 1 Washington, No. 5 Oregon, No. 14 Stanford, No. 16 Arizona State, No. 24 Arizona, and No. 27 California.

San Francisco will send junior Nicole Bowler, sophomore Hillary Kigar, and freshmen Heather Zytkewicz, Sophie Curl, Eva Krchova, Alice Baker, Chloe Treleven, and Hayley Niles. Bowler (88th) and Kigar (157th) competed in this meet last year, and helped the women's team to and18th place finish. The Dons highest team finish was 12th place in 2007, and the highest individual finisher was Jeanine Hagedorn in 27th place in 2004.

For all race day information and results, click here.

Spectator Parking
Spectator parking will be at the Mohawk Elementary School on Sunderman Road. Shuttle buses will then transport spectators to the course at the Springfield Country Club. Please allow sufficient time to use the park-and-ride shuttle.
To reach the Mohawk Elementary School:
• Take 105E/126E and stay on 126E for 7 miles.
• Take the 42nd Street/Marcola exit and make a left on 42nd street for 0.4 miles.
• Make a right on Marcola for 5.5 miles, going 1 mile past the Springfield Country Club.
• Turn right on Sunderman Road.
• The Mohawk Elementary School will be on your right after ¼ mile.
Signs will be posted on the roads directing traffic to the park-and-ride lot at Mohawk Elementary School.