HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif - Senior Micheil Jones won the first cross country meet of his Arizona career today, leading the University of Arizona men's team to victory at the Asics/UCI Invitational.

Jones paced the field, kicking to a considerable lead at the end of the 8,000m event, winning in 24:35.20. Adam Boothe of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo finished second in 24:42.00.

The Wildcat men won easily, as well, scoring 36 points. Arizona State was second with 62 points, and Southern Utah was third with 80 points.

The Arizona women finished second to Arizona State. The Sun Devils scored 22 points to Arizona's 65. Sophomore Tara Chaplin, however, also won the first cross country race of her Wildcat career, finishing the 5,000m race in 17:32.10.

As expected, Arizona's top four runners finished in a tight pack after Jones. Junior David Lopez led the way, finishing in seventh (24:51.10), while sophomore Steve Smith (24:53.10) and senior Brent Pedersen (24:56.30) finished eighth and ninth. Sophomore Tom Prindiville was 11th in 24:58.40.

Junior Katrin Engelen was the second Arizona woman across the line, finishing 10th (18:25.60). Senior Kristen Parrish was 13th (18:27.10), sophomore Erin Doherty was 20th (18:40.40) and freshman Kimberly Bates was 25th (18:43.80).

The Wildcats resume competition next Saturday, 9 a.m., at the Aztec Invitational at Balboa Park in San Diego.