Swain, Zamrin Place in Top Three as Viking Women Finish Second at Mike Johnson Classic; Grams Leads Men to Sixth

RESULTS

MONMOUTH, Ore. — The Portland State cross country team has emphasized the green wave effect. That is, starting out conservatively and then picking off runners over the latter stages of a race.

And through three meets this season it would appear the Vikings have a deadly initial wave as the trio of Emma Stolte, Abi Swain and Jamie Zamrin led the Viking women once again. A week ago, those three all placed in the top 10 as the Vikings edged cross-town rival University of Portland by a point to win the Oak Knoll Loop Run. Friday, at the Mike Johnson Classic at Ash Creek Preserve, that trio found themselves in the top 10 again as the Vikings nearly pulled off a second straight victory.

Swain and Zamrin not only cracked the top 10, they cracked the top three Friday as they finished second and third, respectively, in season-best 6k times of 21:39.0 and 21:43.3. Stotle followed at seventh in 22:22.6, also a seasonal best.

The three top 10 finishers led the Vikings to a second-place team finish. The Vikings finished with 49 points, 11 behind host Western Oregon, which won its home meet with a score of 38.

"The Viking women ran tough today, making moves earlier than ever before this season and owning their positions all the way through the line. It's great watching the women progress so rapidly — especially our underclassmen," Portland State head coach Jonathan Marcus said after the meet.

Peyten Woodruff, one of those underclassmen along with Stolte, finished fourth in the Vikings' lineup and 14th overall in a time of 23:11.9. Freshman Addison Capozzi closed out the team score, placing 27th overall in 23:38.0. That was more than 75 seconds faster than her 6k time a week ago, a clear sign of improvement even given any differences between courses.

Kynzie DeLeon (30th, 23:56.6), Campbell Faust (39th, 24:31.7) and Dyllan Newville (43rd, 25:03.0) also ran for the Viking women Friday. DeLeon's time represented a 45-second improvement over last week when she was making her return to competitive running after a 23-month hiatus. Faust also shaved 15 seconds off her time from a week ago.

The Viking men, meanwhile, got their first chance to show improvement after making their season debut a week ago.

Zach Grams led the men's team while blowing the doors off his season-opening time from the Oak Knoll Loop Run. Grams ran a relaxed pace a week ago, but cranked it up this week to finish four minutes faster and place 21st overall. Grams still isn't at his full speed, but his time of 26:37.8 paced the Viking men.

Abdinajib Abade, who was making his Viking debut Friday, followed Grams at 30th overall in 27:27.6. Freshman Amir Ahmed, last week's leading finisher for the Viking men despite making his collegiate debut, placed 37th overall in 27:40.0.

Lyness Ota followed as the Viking men's fourth finisher at 56th overall in 29:29.3. Ota shaved 70 seconds off the 8k time he ran last week, which was his first-ever attempt at the distance.

Zach Salcido then rounded out the team score at 64th overall in 32:49.1. Edward Niyongere, a sprinter during the track season, also ran for the Vikings Friday, placing 68th overall in 37:57.2.

The Vikings will be back in action next week when they return to the Salem area for the Charles Bowles Invitational on Sept. 30. The men's 8k will start at 8:30 a.m. that day, while the women race a 5k at 9:20 a.m.

Mike Johnson Classic
Ash Creek Preserve
Monmouth, Ore.
Sept. 22, 2023

Women's Top Ten Finishers (6k):
1. Caitlin Heldt, Western Oregon, 21:15.0; 2. Abi Swain, Portland State, 21:39.0; 3. Jamie Zamrin, Portland State, 21:43.3; 4. Ellie Rising, George Fox, 21:56.0; 5. Riley Smith, Western Oregon, 22:03.7; 6. Breanna Schmitt, George Fox, 22:19.5; 7. Emma Stolte, Portland State, 22:22.6; 8. Holly Hutton, Western Oregon, 22:27.9; 9. Hope Bridge, George Fox, 22:35.8; 10. Amelia Jackson, Unattached, 22:39.1.

Women's Team Scores (6k):
1. Western Oregon, 38 points; 2. Portland State, 49 points; 3. George Fox, 56 points; 4. Pacific (Ore.), 102 points; 5. Cal Poly Humboldt, 135 points; 6. Lane CC, 159 points.

Portland State Runners (out of 60):
2. Abi Swain, 21:39.0; 3. Jamie Zamrin, 21:43.3; 7. Emma Stolte, 22:22.6; 14. Peyten Woodruff, 23:11.9; 27. Addison Capozzi, 23:38.0; 30. Kynzie DeLeon, 23:56.6; 39. Campbell Faust, 24:31.7; 43. Dyllan Newville, 25:03.0.

Men's Top Ten Finishers (8k):
1. Kanoa Blake, Western Oregon, 24:41.7; 2. Easton Pomrankey, Western Oregon, 24:47.9; 3. RJ Kennedy, Lane CC, 24:54.2; 4. Alden Roy, Unattached, 25:23.1; 5. Grady Daniels, Unattached, 25:25.9; 6. Grant Bohannon, Western Oregon, 25:26.2; 7. Keeton Sanchez, Western Oregon, 25:36.8; 8. Logan Parker, Western Oregon, 25:43.6; 9. Trevor Wilber, George Fox, 25:47.6; 10. Cedar Davis-Frankfort, Western Oregon, 25:54.3.

Men's Team Scores (8k):
1. Western Oregon, 18 points; 2. George Fox, 89 points; 3. Cal Poly Humboldt, 89 points; 4. SW Oregon CC, 120 points; 5. Lane CC, 122 points; 6. Portland State, 150 points; 7. Pacific (Ore.), 151 points; 8. Walla Walla, 191 points.

Portland State Runners (out of 68):
21. Zach Grams, 26:37.8; 30. Abdinajib Abade, 27:27.6; 37. Amir Ahmed, 27:40.0; 56. Lyness Ota, 29:29.3; 64. Zach Salcido, 32:49.1; 68. Edward Niyongere, 37:57.2.

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