Nov. 22, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -

Freshman Kim Conley and senior Will Merchad each finished 17th in their respective races at the Pacific Association USATF Cross Country Championships on Sunday at Golden Gate Park, leading UC Davis runners at the open competition.

UC Davis runners competed unattached in the races so the Aggies were not given a team score but, according to coach Jason Jaques, would've likely finished in the top four on both the men's and women's sides had they competed officially as teams.

Conley finished the 4.5-mile women's course in 25 minutes, 57 seconds, leading seven UC Davis runners in the top 52 finishers. A total of 129 runners finished the race which was won by Mari Chandler of the Nike Farm Team in 24:18.

Conley, who has led UC Davis in each of its past four races, led a UC Davis pack which included Michelle Solone in 23rd (26:20), Priscilla Moreno in 24th (26:20), Lorin Scott in 37th (26:48), Erna Forgo in 41st (27:03), Eva Gut in 43rd and Kelsey Kaiser in 52nd (27:35).

Jaques said Conley ran a solid race and picked up valuable experience in a talented field.

"It was a good learning experience for her because she was a little anxious starting off and was just holding things together the last mile," he said.

Merchad placed 17th in a tough men's race that covered 6.5 miles of Golden Gate Park. He was clocked in 25:57, crossing the finish line 33 seconds ahead of teammate Tony Ahr who finished in 33:10. The race was won by Jonathan Riley of the Nike Farm Team. Riley was a participant for the Athens Games in the 5,000.

Chris Ferren-Cirino was 34th overall in 33:24, while Jorge Murrillo (33:46), Tim Helms (33:52) and Chris Pecot (33:53) finished 41st, 43rd and 45th in a close pack. Matt Cooley placed 49th in 34:12 while K.C. Cody was 52nd in 34:27.

"The men ran well against much better competition than we had at the same meet last year," said Jaques.

The Nike Farm Team won both the men's and women's competitions.

UC Davis will conclude its season at the USATF Club Cross Country Championship on Dec. 4 in Portland, Ore.

WOMEN'S - 1. Mari Chandler, Farm Team, 24:18... UC Davis finishers: 17. Kim Conley, 25:57; 23. Michelle Solone, 26:20; 24. Priscilla Moreno, 26:20; 37. Lorin Scott, 26:48; 41. Erna Forgo, 27:03; 43. Eva Gut, 27:15; 52. Kelsey Kaiser, 27:35; 61. Lisa Novik, 27:55; 85. Erica Gallegos, 29:21; 110. Carolyn Menard, 30:33.

MEN'S - 1. Jonathan Riley, 31:21... UC Davis finishers: 17. Will Merchad, 32:37; 26. Tony Ahr, 33:10; 34. Chris Ferren-Cirino, 33:24; 41. Jorge Murrillo, 33:46; 43. Tim Helms, 33:52; 45. Chris Pecot, 33:53; 49. Matt Cooley, 34:12; 52. K.C. Cody, 34:27; 76. Mike Weber, 35:53; 91. Blavir Sukhorukav, 36:58.

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