UO women fight off illnesses The women’s cross country team prepares for Saturday’s Pac-lOs By Scott Pesznecker Oregon Daily Emerald When Marie Davis crossed the finish line at the Oregon Invita tional two weeks ago, she was ex hausted. The Oregon women's cross country team’s top runner still managed to place third overall, but throughout the race she had suffered from flu-like symptoms. Now, Davis is healthy. And Sat urday the Davis-led Ducks will have another shot at Alton Baker Park. Oregon will run in the Pacific-10 Conference Championships on Sat urday. The race will begin at 11 a.m. “We’ve each realized that we need to get healthy,” Davis said. “Each of us needed to prepare our selves for the Pac-10, which meant getting rid of our colds and flus and preparing our bodies to run as hard as we can. ” Davis has placed in the top five of each of her meets this season. Heather McMahon has also been a valuable asset to the Ducks, fin ishing behind Davis in four meets. . “We are so much healthier than we were before,” head coach Tom Heinonen said. “Marie is healthy andSiri [Hafdahl] is getting there, and that will help a lot. Katie Crabb and Robyn Sutherland had strong races at the Oregon Invita tional. Liz Howell and Annie Ebiner are also ready for big races.” Running for the women will be Crabb, Davis, Ebiner, Howell, McMahon, Sutherland, and Kylee Wells. The No. 16 Ducks will face an impressive field of competition, raagaasBZSS—MMi 3 Afofe Medlev/'F.merald Marie Davis leads the Oregon women’s team into the Pac-10 Championships this weekend at Alton Baker Park. including No. 2 Stanford, which is on pace to capture the national title. No. 6 Arizona, No. 12 Wash ington, No. 15 Arizona State and No. 23 UCLA will also be compet ing. Heinonen is focused on improv ing the team’s Pac-10 standing by the time Saturday’s race ends. "We’re fifth in the Pac-10 right now,” Heinonen said. “I’d like to see us jump ahead of Arizona State and stay ahead of UCLA, a team that has been coming up fast in the end. Washington might be in reach of us, too.” Heinonen said that finishing strong on Saturday would give the Ducks momentum going into the regionals. “Doing well on Saturday would be a great stepping stone to the West Regional Championships, which will be the key to getting the [NCAA] Championships,” Heinonen said. DELTA OAKS 106(1 Green Acres Road 344-1901 WILLAMETTE STREET 2858 Willamette Street 338-8455 ¥ I ORGANIC ♦ NATURAL ♦ FOOD FART November 5, 6, & 7th 10 am to 7 pm ♦ Sample organic and natural produce, meats, and other great food. 10 to 7 daily ♦ Meet local farmers and producers. 10 to 7 daily ♦ Wine and Microbrew tastings. 4 pm to 7 pm EARTH FRIENDLY A te* \fLft®(P© 0048121 We now have Playstation Games Corner of 19th & Agate • 342-4972 Already used all your favorite Stop by the regon Daily Emerald (Suite 300 EMU) and pick up more!