PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland State cross country program returns to competition for the first time in three weeks when the Vikings toe the line Saturday at the George Oja Invitational.
 
The Vikings haven't raced since the Mike Johnson Classic on Sept. 26. That's not to say they've been idle as they've built up their volume in practice in anticipation of the championship season that will follow this weekend.
 
Saturday's race represents a second chance for the Vikings to race at their more regular distances. The Vikings hadn't run a 6k on the women's side nor an 8k on the men's side until the Mike Johnson Classic. They'll repeat those distances Saturday while racing at Oak Knoll Golf Course in Independence, Ore.
 
The top of the Vikings' lineup on both sides showed no signs of struggling with the distances. Ari Smith led the Viking men for the third straight meet while also posting his third top 10 finish of the season. Smith tied a program record that Alex Cisneros (2014), Michael Devenport (2004) and Evan Garich (2002) set or tied with his third top 10 finish. Smith can surpass those other three with another top 10 finish Saturday.
 
Freshman Brianna Mazilu, meanwhile, smashed her first-ever 6k, leading the Vikings for the second straight meet with a 28th overall finish in 21:56.7. Mazilu also led the Viking women with an eight-place finish at the Ash Creek Collegiate, one of two top 10 finishes she's set already.
 
The rest of the Vikings will hope to finish higher up in their second attempts at a 6k or 8k. The men will run first, opening the meet with the 8k at 10 a.m. The women will follow with their 6k at 11 a.m.
 
Once Saturday's races are over, it'll be championship season for the Vikings who will then race at the Big Sky Championships (Oct. 30) and the NCAA West Regional (Nov. 13). But the preface for those races comes Saturday.
 
MEET INFO
Saturday, Oct. 17 – George Oja Invitational – Independence, Ore. (Oak Knoll Golf Course)
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Live Results
 
MEET SCHEDULE
Time (PT) – Event
10 a.m. – Men's 8k
11 a.m. – Women's 6k