PORTLAND, Ore. – The Western Oregon University men's and women's cross country teams closed out the regular season as they get ready for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships next week after competing at the Lewis & Clark Invite on Saturday in Portland.
On the women's side, Josie Ackerman, Emily Johnson and Shannon Smith all competed for the Wolves. Ackerman was the first one in for the Wolves coming in 145th, with Johnson right behind in 152nd. Smith crossed in 205th, as it was a big field in the women's 6k race with nearly 250 runners. Loras' Kassie Rosenblum cruised to the individual title by over 16 seconds. Carleton won the 23-team field with 81 points to hold off Seattle's 98.
On the men's side, WOU sent seven to the meet in Easton Pomrankey, Jaden McCabe, Matthew Schenk, Jordan Kemper, Wyatt Smith, Chase Eckenfels and Aero Franklin. Pomrankey paced the Wolves in the 8k race when he crossed in 150th. McCabe wasn't far behind coming in 161st. Schenk was the next one in for the Wolves coming in 181st. Kemper crossed in 206th, Smith in 221st, Eckenfels in 232nd and Franklin in 262nd. As a team, WOU finished 16th with 535 points, with Portland winning the 26-team meet with 15 points. Running unattached, Ryan Forsyth won the individual title by just over two seconds, as there were over 300 runners in the field.
With the regular season meets completed, the Wolves will now prepare for the GNAC Championships that will take place next Saturday, Oct. 23 hosted by Saint Martin's in Lacey, Wash.
