SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University runner Taylor Ostrander (Jr., Kenai, AK/Kenai Central HS) has been named Northwest Conference Women's Cross Country Student-Athlete of the Week for the her successful competition at the AAE Invitational in Winneconne, Wis., on Saturday, Oct. 18. She placed 17th out of 559 runners and led Willamette to eighth place in the team standings.

Ostrander placed seventh among NCAA Division III runners in the women's 6-kilometer race. She completed the course in 21:42.64. A total of 42 teams participated in the race. Willamette was fourth when the meet was scored for NCAAA Division III teams only.

It was the second time this season that Ostrander has been chosen NWC Women's Cross Country Student-Athlete of the Week. She also received the award after taking first place in Willamette's dual meet against the University of Alaska-Anchorage on Sept. 11 in Chugiak, Alaska. The WU women's team achieved a score of 25 to defeat the Seawolves.

The Bearcats will host the 2014 Northwest Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Bush's Pasture Park in Salem, Ore. The action is set to get underway with the men's 8-kilometer race at 10 a.m. (PDT). The women's 6-kilometer race will begin at 11 a.m.