Cavalluzzo takes second at Viking Classic
FAIRVIEW, Ore. – Oregon State sophomore Holly Cavalluzzo placed second at the Portland State Viking Invitational on Saturday, leading the Beavers to third place at the 6-team meet.
Cavalluzzo covered the 5,000-meter Blue Lake Park course in 16:55.14 and finished about seven seconds behind winner Sophie Curatilo of Seattle University. Freshman Sam McKinnon took fourth in 17:06.22 and was OSU’s second scorer.
The Beavers compiled 61 team points and placed third behind Seattle (43) and Portland State (53). The meet was also scored as three duals; the Beavers defeated Portland 27-29, but fell 27-29 to Portland State and 26-32 to Seattle.
"Holly ran the second-fastest 5K in school history and ran about 20 second faster than last year," coach Kelly Sullivan said. "It was definitely her best college race," in cross country or track.
"Sam's time was the fourth-fastest overall. She ran about 40 or 50 seconds faster than in high school."
OSU's school record for 5,000 meters is 16:45, set by Sylvia Veal in 2008.
Morgan Anderson was ninth at 17:27.39. OSU’s other counting runners were Adrienne Demaree, who placed 21st in 18:11.24, and Monica Anderson, who was 25th in 18:37.20. Kala Kopecek took 28th in 19:13.08 in her first varsity race.
"Morgan PRed by about 40 seconds," Sullivan said. "She definitely made a big jump" from the Sept. 4 Dellinger Invitational in Eugene. "That's really good.
"I really hate to lose, but with the group we put out today, I'm very happy," he added, noting that several of OSU's top runners didn't compete because they are redshirting or were held out for other reasons. "We had three finishers in the top nine. They ran extremely well."
The Beavers next meet is the Oct. 18 Emerald City Invitational in Seattle.
For more information on the Oregon State cross country team, follow the team by Facebook at Facebook.com/OSUTrackCrossCountry or on Twitter at twitter.com/@beavers_track.
Saturday’s results:
INVITATIONAL TEAM SCORES: Seattle 43; Portland State 53; Oregon State 61; Portland 72; Mt. Hood CC 131; Warner Pacific 174.
DUAL-MEET RESULTS: Oregon State 27, Portland 29; Portland State 27, Oregon State 29; Seattle 26, Oregon State 32.
OSU RESULTS: 2. Holly Cavalluzzo, 16:55.14. 4. Sam McKinnon, 17:06.22. 9. Morgan Anderson, 17:27.39. 21. Adrienne Demaree, 18:11.24. 25. Monica Anderson, 18:37.70. 28. Kala Kopecek, 19:13.08.
