Duck Men Sweep Top Six Spots, Women Take Top Two

EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon men’s team swept the top six spots while the Oregon women claimed the top two places in the season-opening Pre’s Trail Run before an enthusiastic crowd Thursday evening at Alton Baker Park.

"It was good to get out and run in front of a great crowd who came out to welcome the teams back and help us open our season," said Associate Athletic Director Vin Lananna. "It’s always special to run on Pre’s Trail and our thanks goes out to Portland State and Oregon State for coming down and being a part of this meet."

The defending NCAA Champion men led from the gun, with senior Chris Winter pacing a pack of four Ducks who crossed the line together. Winter, a senior from North Vancouver, B.C., got the win by covering the 7,000 meter course in 22:29.44.

"It was just good to get out and run, especially after sitting out last fall," said Winter, who redshirted the 2007 cross country season. "I didn’t even know I won, and it’s really not that important to me. It’s all about where the team finishes."

Crossing the line four abreast with Winter, and officially less than half-a-second behind him, were sophomore Isaac Stoutenburgh (22:29.73), sophomore Eric Dettman (22:29.91) and junior All-American Daniel Mercado (22:30.07). Sophomore Kevin McNally was the fifth Duck to the finish line in 22:36.90, while sophomore Matt Dettman completed the sweep with a sixth place finish in 22:45.31.

In team scoring, the Duck men defeated Portland State 15-48. Nathan Endicott was the Vikings’ top finisher, taking seventh in 22:47.42.

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Interviews

Pre's Trail / Alton Baker Park…

Pre's Trail Run - Melissa Grelli…

2007 Oregon XC Trophies

Races

Women's Race - Pre's Trail Run…

Men's Race - Pre's Trail Run 7000m…

Details: 4,850 Meters (two loops)

Teams: Oregon, Oregon State, Portland State

Oregon Entrants: Among those entered for the Duck women include junior All-American Nicole Blood, junior Brooke Giuffre (another member of the 2007 NCAA runner-up seven and a 2008 NCAA Regional qualifier in the 3,000 meter steeplechase), sophomore Claire Michel (school record-holder in the 3,000 meter steeplechase), sophomore Betsy Bies (2007 Pac-10 scorer in the 10,000 meters) and local runners junior Lauren Zaludek (Elmira/Elmira HS) and senior Tamara Starodubtseva (Eugene/Churchill HS).

THE MEN’S RACE

Details: 7,000 Meters (three loops)

Teams: Oregon, Portland State

Oregon Entrants: Among those entered for the Duck men include sophomore All-American Daniel Mercado, senior Chris Winter (2008 NCAA Championships qualifier in the steeplechase who was third in that event at the Pac-10 meet last season), sophomore Isaac Stoutenburgh (2008 NCAA Regional qualifier in the 3,000 meter steeplechase), sophomore twins Eric and Matt Dettman and, making his Oregon debut, redshirt freshman Chris Kwiatkowski.