PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland State cross country program will open its season Friday in its own backyard. The Vikings will race at the Lewis & Clark XC Opener at the Milo McIver State Park in Estacada, Ore.
 
It's the same course as the Vikings' opener last year when Emma Stolte and Ari Smith led the team with top 10 finishes in the women's and men's races, respectively.
 
The meet provides a low-stakes opener for the Vikings. The men will only race a 5k Friday, well below their championship distances (8k/10k). The 5k distance was so rare that Smith's leading time of 15:32.03 last season automatically went down as a new school record. Benjamin Sanchez owns the No. 2 time in the 5k with his finish in 15:46.84 last year, while Luke Gillingham has the No. 3 time at 15:53.02.
 
Smith and Gillingham return to the court this season along with nine other PSU entrants. Those include JD Arthur, Aidan Brown, Kyle Chen, Vince Estrada, Mika Sarver Huber, Eli Levinsohn, Ian Parks, Landen Sandoval and Simon Walsh.
 
The Viking women will have to replace Stolte. Her top 10 finish at the Lewis & Clark meet kicked off a record-breaking 2025-26 season for Stolte. Within the cross country season alone, she tied a program record with five top 10 finishes including one at the Big Sky Championships, earning her the first of three all-conference honors she'd receive over the school year.
 
Sam Sharp will be the top returning runner for the Viking women. She finished third in the Vikings' lineup at every meet she competed last season, including the Big Sky Championships and NCAA West Regional. Other returners who ran for the Vikings at either championship meet include Riley Amarillas, Libby Fox, Irina López and Emily Schmitke.  
 
The Vikings will move on quickly from Friday's season opener, as they race the following week at the Ash Creek Collegiate, Sept. 11, in Monmouth, Ore.
 
MEET INFO
Friday, Sept. 4 – Lewis & Clark XC Opener – Estacada, Ore. (Milo McIver State Park)
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Live Results
 
MEET SCHEDULE
Time (PT) – Event
10 a.m. – Men's 5k
10:30 a.m. – Women's 5k
 
PARKING INFO
Fans will be charged for parking at Milo McIver State Park. Pre-paid tickets can be purchased here for $10. All parking passes purchased the day of the meet will be $20.