Nov. 22, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO - Michelle Davis led the Cal women with a ninth-place finish and Simon Schmidt paced the Cal with by taking 16th at the 23rd annual Pacific Association cross country championships contested Sunday in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

Davis covered the four-mile course in 24:02, with teammate Hillary Hayes right behind in the 11th spot in 24:09. Chelsea Reilly (17th, 24:36) and Taylor Dutch (19th, 24:39) also posted top 20 results. In addition, Nicole Hough finished in 25:18 and Taylor Bryson recorded a time of 25:43.

The men's competition featured a six-mile event, with Schmidt crossing the line in 31:58. Matt Petersen claimed 22nd in 32:22, while Andres Diaz was 41st (33:26), James Attarian was 62nd (34:53) and Dmitry Kislyuk was 76th (35:39).

The Pacific Association race completes Cal's cross country season for 2009. The Bear women had one of their strongest seasons in recent years with their fifth-place finish at the Pac-10 championships being their highest since 1988. The men, who struggled with injuries and illness much of the fall, were seventh at Pac-10's. Both squads also took eighth at the NCAA regional meet last weekend. Steve Sodaro, Kari Karlsson and Deborah Maier - none of whom competed at the Pacific Association race - will return next year after earning all-region honors.

Women's Results - 4.04 miles
Individual Winner: Linda Somers 22:47. Cal Finishers: 9. Michelle Davis 24:02; 11. Hillary Hayes 24:09; 17. Chelsea Reilly 24:36; 19. Taylor Dutch 24:39; 28. Nicole Hough 25:18; 38. Taylor Bryson 25:43.

Men's Results - 6.06 miles
Individual Winner: Phillip Reid 30:23. Cal Finishers: 16. Simon Schmidt 31:58; 22. Matt Petersen 32:22; 41. Andres Diaz 33:26; 62. James Attarian 34:53; 76. Dmitry Kislyuk 35:39.