Photos from the Trip

SALEM, Ore. – After a strong start to the 2012 campaign, the Christopher Newport cross country teams are looking for another outstanding effort in one of the nation's top competitions as the Captains prepare for the 38th Annual Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational on Saturday in Bush's Pasture Park.

The meet, which routinely features 800-1000 college athletes, is the largest college-only cross country invitational on the west coast. Fittingly, the competition is filled with some of the top teams in the country. On the men's side, Willamette, Whitworth, Puget Sound, and George Fox are all ranked in the top-10 of the USTFCCCA West Region, while the University of Portland currently stands fifth in the nation in Division I.

The women's side is crowded with exceptional teams as well. Once again, the invitational will boast some of the top squads in the west as Willamette, Linfield, Whitman, Whitworth, and George Fox are all ranked in the women's regional poll. The University of Portland, ranked eighth in the west on the women's side, will also send a team.

“As much as we might do that is memorable on this trip, our top priority is the meet,” said head coach Matthew Barreau. “We came out here to face the best competition in an 'unknown' environment, which is what we will be doing come Regional and National meet time. We have some very excited athletes, but also some very fit and very focused athletes. The Willamette Invite has been a great meet for well over a decade, and we are excited to take part in it this year.”

The Captains will be represented in the meet by 14 of their top competitors. Reigning USA South champion Ray Gamache and two-time conference Rookie of the Week Josh Showalter will headline the men's contingent. Aaron Zook, Daniel Austin, Michael Hoy, and Donovan Lewin will also suit up at the meet.

On the women's side, CNU will send out five of its elite freshmen as well as three of the team's top upperclassmen. First-year standouts Melissa Rizor, Lydia Cromwell, Alexa Tabackman, Graciela Slyer, and Eliza Eaton will team up with veterans Erin Rolaf, Karen Bumiller, and Jessica McClelland to lead the Captains.

The men's 8k will kick off Saturday's action at 9:30 a.m. before the women head out on the course for the 5k at 10:15.

Although the Invitational is the focus of the team's Oregon odyssey, the Captains have been fortunate to experience several unique opportunities in the Northwest. After arriving in Portland, CNU headed to Beaverton to train at the Nike World Headquarters.

“It was a real treat to be able to run at the Nike World Headquarters for our post-flight shake-out,” said Barreau. “Not only did we get to use their trail and the extremely unique track, which has a forest growing on the inside of it and is under tree cover for 200 meters, but they had literally just opened a new trail the day before, so we were some of the first athletes to ever run on it.”

During their preparations for the Willamette Invitational, the Captains were also able to meet some of the top runners in the world. Brent Vaughn, who won the 2011 USA National Cross Country Championship, and Sara Vaughn, who placed seventh at the 2012 World Indoor 1500m, stopped by to talk with the team. Shalane Flanagan, who captured a Bronze medal in the 10k at the 2008 Olympics and finished 10th in the Marathon at the London Games, also met with the squad.

“I am very fortunate to have grown up around a terrific running community in Oregon, and to have met many fabulous runners throughout the years,” said Barreau. “Brent and Sara Vaughn were more than gracious in taking time out of their lives to speak with the team and give them some thoughts on what things they have the opportunity to accomplish this year. And when you're at the Nike Campus, it's not uncommon to be able to run into somebody like Shalane Flanagan. All three of them are first-class people, and that experience is something the team won't ever forget.”

Building on those experiences and learning from their world-class tutors, the Captains will look to make a statement on Saturday and show everyone what the team has been working towards.

“One thing Brent Vaughn said to us was that when it's time to get to those championship meets, or those opportunities to run really well, we don't need to try to do anything special,” said Barreau. “We just need to trust that we've put in the work and that we are ready to run well. That's what this weekend is about for us. Saturday, it is time to trust in the work we have done and see where that stacks us up against some very good teams.”

---CNU---