Aaron Bienefeld Of Oregon, Sierra Atkins Of UC-Davis Dominate Late To Win Races At 16th Bill Dellinger Invitational

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

MOHAWK, Ore. -- The Jerry Schumacher and Shalane Flanagan Era of University of Oregon distance running officially launched Friday at the 16th Bill Dellinger Invitational at Pine Ridge Golf Club. 

Students at Oregon moved in this week and classes start Monday. 

For the runners who acquired new coaches this summer, the work has already begun as the program shifts its focus to a higher volume of base training under coaches Schumacher and Flanagan. 

Aaron Bienenfeld said the transition is working for him and he executed a flawless race on the way to winning the 8-kilometer men's competition in 23:41.7. 

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"I was excited to have a new approach to things and change things up, maybe do a bit more mileage, which is good for me because I'm more of a distance guy," Bienenfeld said of the summer coaching change. 

Bienenfeld, who was 18th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships last year, is well-suited to handle the 18-mile long runs that have become part of the new training regimen this month. 

Washington State's Brian Barsaiya pushed out to an early lead and was up by nearly 20 seconds before the large pack behind him began to close. 

Bienenfeld remained comfortably with his teammates until it was time to attack in the fifth mile. 

"The first four miles were about sticking together and looking strong as a group and the it was a free-for-all and I was excited to make a move," said Bienefeld, who ran Aug. 16 for Germany at the European Championships. 

Matt Strangio, a Portland runner competing unattached, caught Barsaiya within sight of the finish line and took second in 23:45.4. Barsaiya was third in 23:46.0. 

Bienenfeld, Cameron Stein, Abdinasir Hussein, Quincy Norman and James Gormley combined for 39 points and the team win. Portland was second with 62 points (45 if it would have employed Strangio) and UCLA, with new coach Sean Brosnan, was third with 63. 

In the women's race, Sierra Atkins from UC-Davis used a late kick to catch and then pulled away from McKaylie Caesar of Cal State-Fullerton over the final 800 meters. 

Atkins won the 6K in 19:53.4 and Portland's Laura Pellicoro edged Caesar for second, 19:58.3 to 19:58.8. 

Oregon's Harper McClain was fourth and led four Ducks into the top 11 on the way to a team victory with 50 points. UC-Davis and Cal State Fullerton both scored 100 points and Washington State was next with 102. 

"I came here today with the raceplan of being somewhere in the top 20," Atkins said. "I wasn't quite expecting a win, but I'll take it."

McClain was joined by teammates Emilie Girard, Malia Pivec, Izzy Thornton-Bott and Maddy Elmore for the team win.