PORTLAND, Ore. — Eastern Oregon cross country kicked off its season at the Cascade Conference Preview on Friday, with both the men's and women's squads finishing third overall. The event featured seven CCC programs, alongside competitors from Lane Community College, the University of Portland, and unattached racers.

The No. 7-ranked Eastern Oregon men's team totaled 62 points in the 8,000-meter race, finishing behind No. 5 College of Idaho and No. 16 NCAA Division I Portland. Justin Ash led the Mountaineers, placing sixth overall with a time of 24:51.66 seconds. George Showers (10th, 25:24.30) and Cristian Mendoza (11th, 25:36.73) also had top-15 finishes.

Rounding out the scoring for EOU were Thomas Ogden (20th, 26:02.41) and Hunter Marlatt (21st, 26:07.70), contributing to the Mounties' team total.

On the women's side, Eastern Oregon also claimed third in the 6,000-meter race, finishing with 66 total points. Mattie Woodbury paced the Mountaineers, crossing the line 13th with a time of 23:44.03. Kaleah Hines (16th, 23:56.67), Riley Morris (18th, 24:05.95), Sadie McCoy (19th, 24:07.52), and Kiah Carlson (20th, 24:12.88) followed closely behind in the top 20.

The Mountaineers will now look ahead to their next meet when they travel back to the west side for the 49th Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational in Salem, Oregon, on October 5.