Nov. 9, 2002

Complete Results

FRESNO, Calif. - Western Washington University's Paul Kezes (Jr., Bellingham/Sehome) earned a berth at nationals by winning the men's individual title, and the Vikings placed seventh in both the men's and women's team standings at the NCAA Division II West Regional Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Woodward Park.

Kezes completed the 10-kilometer course in 31:58, 12 seconds in front of Chico State's Chris Eggers. Kezes, a transfer from Western State CO, was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion two weeks ago and has won all four races he has competed in this season.

"Paul went out with the front group and at the two-mile mark he was 30-40 yards ahead," said Western coach Pee Wee Halsell. "He then came back to the pack as the longer distance is a little tougher for him, but he won by 12 seconds."

Chico State won the men's team title with 43 points, snapping a four-year championship run by UC Davis, which was second (86). Alaska Anchorage placed third (105). The top three teams go to nationals.

UC Davis successfully defended its women's title, its fifth in six years, winning by five points, 86 to 91, over Chico State. UC San Diego was third (126).

"I'm a little disappointed," Halsell said. "We had some good races, but we weren't hitting on all cylinders today ... The sun came out today. We were hoping for a little rain, which would have been better for us."

Taking the women's individual crown was Cal State L.A.'s Ann Marie Housen, who was clocked in 21:27 over the 6-kilometer course. Hawaii Pacific's Sayuri Kusutani was second in 21:48.

Western's top runner was Ashlee Vincent (So., Bellingham/Squalicum), who earned regional all-star honors for the second consecutive year by placing eighth in 22:21. A seventh-place finisher at regionals last fall, she had won her second straight GNAC title on Oct. 26.

Kurt Hartmaier (Jr., Woodinville/Redmond) placed 29th for the Western men in 34:13. Brian Brancheau (Jr., Edmonds/Edmonds-Woodway) was 46th (34:52), Emil Newhouse (Sr., Snohomish) 52nd (35:02), and Brandon Whitaker (So., Marysville/Marsyville-Pilchuck) 62nd (35:34).

In the women's race, Laura Trevellyan (Fr., Vashon) finished 17th (22:59) for the Vikings. Lisa Pearl (Sr., Kenmore/Inglemoor) was 42nd (23:41), Molly DePasqual 52nd (23:56), and Tina Stinson 53rd (23:56).

Kezes becomes the first Western cross country runner to go to the NCAA II Championships. That meet takes place on Nov. 23 at Ashland, Ohio.

"Paul is going to nationals and that's great," said Halsell. "Unfortunately he's the only one."