For Immediate Use

September 1, 2012

 

Watson, Kesselring Lead Season Opening Sweep at Pier Park

 

PORTLAND, Ore. – Cole Watson and Anne Kesselring led the Oregon cross country teams to a sweep of the season-opening Pier Park Invitational Saturday in the Rose City.

 

The top-ranked Duck women easily won the four-way dual meet, defeating Oregon State 15-50, Portland 15-48 and Portland State 15-49.

 

The 22nd-ranked men also dominated their three-way dual, beating No. 7 Portland 17-46 and Portland State 15-50.

 

“It was a really good way to start the season right,” said associate head coach Andy Powell. “Both teams did a really good job working together and running as pack.”

 

The first four Duck women to cross the finish line were seniors, led by Kesselring, who covered the 5,000 meter course in 17:12.90. A pair of Ducks making their Oregon debut were next. Dartmouth transfer Alexi Pappas took second in 17:13.18, while Katie Conlon, a transfer from Jamestown (N.D.) College, was right behind in 17:13.43.

 

Sarah Penney, another senior, followed in fourth for the Ducks in 17:13.68. Sophomore Megan Patrignelli wrapped up the Oregon sweep with a fifth-place finish in 17:24.72.

 

The women also had senior Taylor Wallace, from Klamath Falls, Ore., seventh in 17:31.22 and senior Becca Friday 10th in 17:51.15.

 

Watson led a 1-2-3 sweep for the Duck men. The sophomore from Rogue River, Ore., covered the 6,000 meter course in 17:52.69. Junior Ben DeJarnette was a step back in second in 17:53.00, with Daniel Winn, a graduate of PortlandÂ’s Cleveland High School, third in 18:02.22.

 

PortlandÂ’s Aiden Irish broke up the Duck runners with his fourth-place finish in 18:03.91.

 

Corey Brewer, a freshman from Vista, Calif., in his Oregon debut, finished fifth in 18:06.00. The Ducks also saw junior Tim Costin in sixth. The Springfield, Ore., native ran 18:08.06 as the teamÂ’s final scorer.

 

The Ducks also had sophomore Colby Alexander in seventh in 18:11.66 and EugeneÂ’s Matthew Melancon eighth in 18:12.81. Freshman Joe Holvey, also from Eugene, was 24th in 19:21.31.

 

“We had some great races from some runners who havenÂ’t had much opportunity,” said Powell.  Â“Alexi and Katie did a good job in their first races in an Oregon uniform. Same for Corey Brewer and a couple of the younger guys.”

 

Oregon next returns to action for the seventh annual Bill Dellinger Invitational Sept. 29 at Springfield Country Club.

 

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