McKinnon leads OSU to fourth place in opener
Eugene, Ore. – Freshman Sam McKinnon placed 15th in her first college race to lead the Oregon State women’s cross country team to fourth place at the five-team Dellinger Invitational on Friday.
McKinnon finished the 6,000-meter Pre’s Trail course in 20 minutes, 52 seconds, an average of 5:36 per mile. Sophomore Holly Cavalluzzo was the second OSU finisher, as she placed 18th in 21:11, an average of 5:41 per mile.
"Overall we ran well" despite 90-degree, dusty conditions, OSU coach Kelly Sullivan said. "Sam did great and Holly did well. We got a race in and now we're headed off to training" in Central Oregon.
"I told Sam we weren't going to talk about race strategy, that I would just let her run how she felt," Sullivan added. "She stayed with Kinsey (OSU senior Kinsey Gomez, who ran unattached) for about half the race, and did pretty much what I expected. She has a passion for running."
The Beavers scored 120 team points. Michigan State’s Rachele Schulist won the race in 19:38 and led a 1-2-3 finish by MSU runners that gave them the team title with 20 points. Portland was second at 46.
Gomez, OSU’s top returnee, placed ninth overall in 20:35, a 5:32 per-mile average but did not figure into the team scoring. She and several teammates were held out to preserve a possible redshirt season.
The invitational also counted as three dual meets. OSU defeated Portland State 27-29 but lost to Michigan State 15-50 and to Portland 16-45.
The Beavers are now idle until the Oct. 4 Portland State Vikings XC Classic at Blue Lake Park, hosted by the Vikings.
For more information on the Oregon State cross country team, follow the team by Facebook at Facebook.com/OSUTrackCrossCountry or on Twitter at @beavers_track.
Bill Dellinger Invitational
TEAM SCORES: Michigan State 20; Portland 46; Oregon 68; Oregon State 120; Portland State 131.
DUAL-MEET SCORES: Michigan State 15, Oregon State 50; Portland 16, Oregon State 45; Oregon State 27, Portland State 29.
OSU FINISHERS: 9. Kinsey Gomez (unattached), 20:35 (5:32). 15. Sam McKinnon, 20:52 (5:36). 18. Holly Cavalluzzo, 21:11 (5:41). 26. Morgan Anderson, 22:42 (6:06). 29. Monica Anderson, 23:01 (6:11). 32. Emily Weber, 24:25 (6:33).
