The Southwestern Oregon Community College women’s cross country team earned its first trophy in the program’s history by finishing second this weekend at the NWAACC South Region Championships, held at Clackamas Community College.

Francesca Frasier was the team’s top runner finishing in fifth place with a time of 19 minutes and 58 seconds for the 5,000-meter course. Followed closely by Tracey Melgoza (20:30) and Jesse Ward (21:04) who finished 10th and 12th respectively. Southwestern’s other runners were Abby Gillaspie, who was 24th (22:49); Leah Partmann, who finished 26th (22:56); and Rachel Rameriz, who was 30th (26:09).

The Lakers scored 60 points, to finish behind Lane Community College, which had 30 points.

Josh Frasier led the way for the men who just missed third place by four points. Frasier finished eighth in 27:32 in the 8-kilometer event. The men also got strong performances from Peter Becker (27:38) and Andrew Scott (27:39) who finished 11th and 12th, respectively. Other Lakers competing were Kameron Ulmer, who finished 22nd (28:29); Rob Manning, who was 27th (29:13); Travis Clark, who was 29th (30:27); Chris Davis-Garland, who finished 36th (34:13); and Casey Gleason, who was 37th (34:57).  

Southwestern’s coach Dan Neal was named the South Region Women’s Coach of the Year.

“I share this honor fifty-fifty with Kori Frasier,” said Neal of his volunteer assistant, the mother of Josh and Francesca. “She has made such positive contributions to our cross country program.”

The Lakers have two weeks of rest before they travel to the NWAACC championships in Battle Ground, Wash.

Wrestlers win two

Southwestern’s wrestling team won two of its three duals at home on Saturday as it opened the season.

The Lakers beat Yakima Valley 22-16 and West Hills 27-20, but fell to Lassen 28-12.

Kyle Taylor, who wrestles at 149 pounds, and 174-pounder David Laird won all three of their matches during the day.

Taylor won one match by technical fall and another by major decision (12-1), while ending his Lassen opponent in overtime — one of four wins for the Lakers in that match.

Laird pinned Yakima Valley’s Eddie Gray, and won by decision in his other two matches, including one in overtime.

Joseph Michell won a pair of major decisions at 141 pounds, but lost by injury default against Lassen. Adam Fugit took a pair of one-point decisions at 165. Ryan Hoover had a pin and a decision at 285 pounds, and sat out against Yakima Valley, when Nic Weyrauch won for the Lakers in the weight class.

Justin Hollingshead had a pin in his one match at 157 pounds for Southwestern. John Sutten won one of his three matches at 125 pounds, while Chris Pannone took one victory at 184.

Soccer team loses

Southwestern’s women were nearly eliminated from playoff contention when they lost 3-0 to visiting Lane on Saturday.

Tracey Goodell scored the first goal of the match before Kori Wilgus added two more for the Titans.

Southwestern fell to 10-7-0 in NWAACC South Region play, with one match remaining, at home against Lower Columbia Community College on Saturday.

The top three teams in the region advance to the playoffs. Clackamas is in first place at 16-0-1, followed by Lane (12-3-1) and Clark (10-3-3). The Lakers could finish in a tie for third with Clark if Southwestern wins and Clark loses its final two matches, to Lower Columbia and Lane at home.