Photo of Abbie McNulty at the 2016 Stanford Invitational by John Todd/ISIphotos.com
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – Stanford's men's and women's cross country teams each placed second at the Bill Dellinger Invitational on Friday on the Pac-12 championship course at Springfield Golf Club.
The No. 5 Cardinal women were second to No. 2 Oregon, 33-66, but ahead of No. 19 BYU (78) and No. 11 Washington (95).
The No. 2 Stanford men trailed No. 6 BYU, 17-73, and just ahead of No. 8 Oregon (75). No. 18 Portland was sixth (186).
This was essentially the season opener for Stanford. The teams had competed Sept. 16 in the low-key USD Invitational in San Diego, which was treated as a workout. But this was a better representation of the team.
What did Stanford learn? For one, that Alex Ostberg could be an impact runner this season. Ostberg is coming off his first sub-14 in the 5,000 meters in June and has continued his progression. Ostberg was Stanford's No. 1 on Friday, placing sixth in 23:48.8 over the 8-kilometer 4.97-mile) course.
Stanford's No. 2 was freshman Callum Bolger, in 14th (23:56.6). Bolger was among the six Stanford runners – three men and three women – to make their collegiate debuts. Connor Lane was 36th (24:18.6) and Michael Vernau was 37th (24:19.0). Among the women, Jessica Lawson was 23rd (19:50.5) as Stanford's No. 5 runner. Jordan Oakes was 25th (19:52.2) and Julia Heymach 26th (20:27.5).
Among the women, Abbie McNulty placed a strong 10th, running 19:12.5 over 6K (3.73 miles). She was No. 3 on the team behind All-Americans Vanessa Fraser (fifth, 19:12.5) and Fiona O'Keeffe (ninth in 19:16.3). But like Ostberg with the men, McNulty's performance may have been the most encouraging for the women.
Stanford figures to have great depth, but McNulty, a competitor in two NCAA championship meets, will undoubtedly make a bid to be included once again. Her time was 1 minute, 27.8 seconds faster than any 6K cross country race she's run for Stanford and a great indication of her fitness level.
Stanford did not race some of its top runners, but the squads that will toe the line at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on Oct. 13 should look even more like the ones that will race in the postseason.
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Bill Dellinger Invitational
At Springfield Golf Course
Springfield, Ore.
Men (8K)
Team scores – 1, BYU 17; 2, Stanford 73; 3, Oregon 75; 4, Washington 85; 5, Gonzaga 147; 6, Portland 186; 7, Cal Poly 198; 8, Idaho 243; 9, UC Santa Barbara 257.
Individual results (Winner and Stanford) – 1, Clayton Young (BYU) 23:42.4. Stanford: 6, Alex Ostberg 23:48.8; 14, Callum Bolger 23:56.6; 16, Blair Hurlock 24:00.6; 19, Steven Fahy 24:03.9; 20, Tai Dinger 24:05.3; 29, Alek Parsons 24:10.8; 32, Isaac Cortes 24:16.8; 36, Connor Lane 24:18.6; 37, Michael Vernau 24:19.0; 86, Tom Coyle 25:09.4.
Women (6K)
Team scores – 1, Oregon 33; 2, Stanford 66; 3, BYU 78; 4, Washington 95; 5, Portland 136; 6, Oregon State 190; 7, Cal Poly 198; 8, UC Santa Barbara 211; 9, Idaho 221; 10, Gonzaga 299.
Individual results (winner and Stanford) – 1, Katie Rainsberger (Oregon) 18:47.6. Stanford: 5, Vanessa Fraser 19:12.5; 7, Fiona O'Keeffe 19:16.3; 10, Abbie McNulty 19:20.4; 21, Ella Donaghu 19:45.7; 23, Jessica Lawson 19:50.5; 25, Jordan Oakes 19:52.2; 46, Maddy Berkson 20:21.5; 52, Julia Heymach 20:27.5.
