XC Sweeps Through Lewis & Clark Opener

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. – Reed Brown and Alessia Zarbo each picked up an individual win Wednesday while leading the Oregon cross country teams to victory at the Lewis & Clark Opener. The UO men placed four inside the top 10 while the Women of Oregon swept the top-nine spots of the season-opening race.
 
Brown crossed the finish in 19:19.6, just ahead of Portland's Justin Hazell (19:20) to secure the top spot. Newcomer Caleb Brown (19.24.8) was fourth overall and third among collegiate entries, good for second in the lineup. Matt Wisner (19:44.3), Quincy Norman (19:49.2) and Steven Neumaier (20:03.6) rounded out the Oregon top five.
 
The fourth-ranked Men of Oregon picked up a ranked win, finishing ahead of No. 16 Portland, 24-31.
 
Zarbo dominated the women's race in a winning time of 16:10, posting a victory of 26 seconds. She was an NCAA West Preliminary qualifier at 5,000 meters this past outdoor track season but was making her cross country debut for the Ducks.
 
Malia Pivec, the race runner-up, was one of five in the lineup making their Oregon debuts. Pivec crossed the finish line in 16:36.9 and was followed by newcomer Harper McClain (16:41.8) in third place. Melissa Berry (16:45.2) was the fourth UO woman across the line while Anika Thompson, another newcomer for the Ducks, posted a time of 16:48.5 in fifth place.
 
In the chase format, both races were run concurrently with the men's event (four miles) going out 90 seconds prior to the start of the women's race (three miles)
 
Lewis & Clark Opener 
1. Men of Oregon – 24
               1. Reed Brown (1) – 19:19.6
               4. Caleb Brown (3) – 19:24.8
               8. Matt Wisner (4) – 19:44.3
               10. Quincy Norman (6) – 19:49.2
               17. Steven Neumaier (10) – 20:03.6
               22. Angus Folmli (14) – 20:21.9
 
1. Women of Oregon – 15
               1. Alessia Zarbo (1) – 16:10.0
               2. Malia Pivec (2) – 16:36.9
               3. Harper McClain (3) – 16:41.8
               4. Melissa Berry (4) – 16:45.2
               5. Anika Thompson (5) – 16:48.5
               6. Dania Holmberg (6) – 16:59.5
               7. Caramia Mestler (7) – 17:05.5
               8. Mia Moerck (--) – 17:11.2
               9. Ella Nelson (--) – 17:27.6
 
In just over three weeks, the Ducks return to the course for their lone home meet of the season, the Bill Dellinger Invitational (Sept. 23), at the Pine Ridge Golf Club in Springfield, Ore. The men's 8K race will go off at 5:30 p.m. (PT) with the women's 6K to follow at 6:15 p.m.
 
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