MONMOUTH, Ore. – Hawai'i Pacific University junior Jona Bodirsky placed ninth and senior Karen Corona-Perez placed 115th as HPU's lone runners at the 2021 NCAA Division II Cross Country West Regional hosted by Western Oregon at the Ash Creek Preserve.
 
Bodirsky, from Rettingheim, Germany, had one of the best races of his career in placing ninth on the men's 10-kilometer course in 31:09.8. Bodirsky ran most of the race in the top three before dropping back.
 
The men's race was won by PacWest Conference champion Patrick Kiprop of Fresno Pacific who clocked a 30:12.6. Shea Vavra of Cal State San Marcos was second in 30:55.2 with Chico State's Brayden McLaughlin third in 30:55.4. Azusa Pacific's Joshua Velasco was fourth in 30:55.9 and Alaska Anchorage's Cole Nash fifth in 30:56.3.
 
Chico State won the men's team title with 47 points, beating Fresno Pacific with 109 points. Cal Poly Pomona edged Azusa Pacific for third 138 points to 139 points.
 
Bodirsky he earned All-West Region honors, but did not automatically qualify for the NCAA Division II Championships in Saint Leo, Fla. on Nov. 20. He has an opportunity to be an at-large selection with his finish that will be announced on Monday.
 
Corona-Perez of Ocracoke, N.C./Ocracoke covered the women's 6k course in 24:13.5 to place 115. It was her best time in the 6k this season.
 
The women's race was won by Stanislaus State's Kaela Dishion in 21:14.4, followed by Simon Fraser's Olivia Willett in 21:19.7 and Academy of Art's Natalia Novak in 21:27.1.
 
Simon Fraser won the women's team championship with 75 points, with Stanislaus State second with 91 points, Chico State third with 110 points and ART U fourth with 134 points.