University of Oregon
Charles Bowles Invitational
Men Take Team Title at Charles Bowles Invitational
10/04/14 | Cross Country
SALEM, Ore. - Cole Watson led the third-ranked Duck men to a victory Saturday at the Charles Bowles Invitational in Salem, Ore. With most of Oregon's top runners getting the week off after last week's win in Boston, the Ducks got a chance to test their depth at the Willamette meet.
Watson, a senior from Rogue River, Ore., finished fourth in 24:08.88, while fellow senior Tanguy Pepiot was fifth in 24:21.56. It was the first race of the season for both runners.
The men also counted senior Jeramy Elkaim's sixth-place finish in 24:23.26, junior Matt Jablonski's seventh-place finish (24:27.87) and freshman Bryan Fernandez's ninth-place run (24:30.38).
Oregon won with 16 points. Chico State, the No. 3 team at the NCAA Division II level, was second with 40 points and Willamette was third with 131.
A pair of Ducks competing unattached finished first and second. Senior John Gregorek won the 8,000 meter race in 23:53.94, with freshman Blake Haney second in 23:54.40.
What It Means: Saturday was a chance not only for Watson and Pepiot to open up the 2014 season, but also to test the team's depth as the Ducks look to the Pac-12 Championships, where each team may enter up to 10 runners. Haney, running unattached, made a case to be included in that number with his runner-up finish.
What's Next: Pre National Invitational, Oct. 18, Terre Haute, Ind.
Players Mentioned
