Sept. 29, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University's men's and women's cross-country teams will head to Salem, Ore. this weekend to participate in the 30th Annual Willamette Invitational, held at Bush Park on Saturday morning. Between 40 to 60 teams are expected to compete in the largest meet in the Northwest United States this year.
The men's 8,000-meter race is set to start at 10 a.m., while the women's 5,000-meter contest will begin at 11:30 a.m. West Coast Conference opponents Gonzaga, San Diego, and preseason WCC favorite Portland are all expected to compete in both the men's and women's races, taking on the Broncos for the first time in 2004.
Both teams competed in the Stanford Invitational at Stanford Golf Course last weekend in another of the season's largest meets. The men finished 13th out of 20 teams, while the women finished 17th in one of the most competitive races of the year.
Freshman Michael Delaurenti was the Bronco's top finisher on the men's side, placing 46th in an 8,000-meter time of 25:35. Junior John Hinman also placeed in the top 50, finishing 50th in a time 25:46. Junior John Thyken rounded out the top three, coming in 56th with a time of 25:52. Nick Arcelona, Andrew Blumel, Chris Doerhoff, and Christen Gumbs also scored for Santa Clara.
On the women's side, SCU placed six competitors in the top 100, with freshman Ann Thomas placing 70th with a time of 15:37. Senior Robin Bell followed closely behind Thomas, finishing 72nd in a 4,000-meter time of 15:38. Lauren Swigart, Katie Hansen, Blossom Marimpietri and Adriane Puetz rounded out the top Bronco finishers.
