Cross-Country Titles Up for Grabs : Occidental, CLU, CSUN to Make Run in Nationals

Occidental, fresh off victories in last week’s West regional at Lake Castaic, will compete in the NCAA Division III cross-country championships at Forest Park in St. Louis today.

But the Tigers won’t be the only ones chasing a title. The Cal State Northridge women’s team will run in the NCAA Division II championships in Clinton, Miss., and the Cal Lutheran men’s team will compete in the NAIA championships in Kenosha, Wis.

Occidental rolled to impressive victories in both the men’s and women’s races at the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships 3 weeks ago before winning the West regional last week, but Coach Bill Harvey was cautious about his team’s chances in the nationals.

“I’ve never quite been able to predict how we’ll run at the nationals,” said Harvey, in his ninth year at Occidental. “I’ve had real good teams run poorly in the past and I’ve had other teams, which weren’t as good, run very well.”

Harvey is more definite when asked about senior Michelle Trimble, the SCIAC and West regional champion, and a three-time Division III All-American.

“She could be in contention for the overall title,” he said. “She’s one of about six or seven girls who could win it. Michelle is running very well right now and she’s got a lot of experience.”

Emmet Hogan, the West regional champion, Lionel Shaw and Chris Tregillis will lead the Occidental men’s team.

Northridge will be paced by junior Gina Jaurequi and senior Heather Brookes at the Division II championships.

The Lady Matadors are ranked seventh in Division II, but Coach Don Strametz said they are capable of equaling last year’s fifth-place national finish.

“They had their best workouts of the season last week,” Strametz said. “Now, it’s just a matter of carrying those workouts over and into this race.”

Patrick Byrne will lead the Cal Lutheran men’s team in the NAIA championships.

Byrne, 38th in last year’s nationals, placed fifth in the District 3 meet 2 weeks ago at Woodward Park in Fresno, leading the Kingsmen to the team title.