SPORTS BRIEFLY.

Byline: The Register-Guard

THE REGION

Ducks ranked 15th in cross country poll

The Oregon men's cross country team was ranked 15th overall in the first Division I poll released by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

On the women's side, the Ducks were ranked 30th overall.

Despite the loss of two-time individual champion Simon Bairu, top-ranked Wisconsin is favored to repeat as NCAA men's champions.

The Badgers return four runners who placed in the top 18 at last year's national meet, including Chris Solinsky (third), Matt Withrow (ninth), Beaverton's Stuart Eagon (17th) and Tim Nelson (18th).

Rounding out the men's top 10 are Arkansas, Colorado, Stanford, Texas, Iona, Portland, Arizona, Oklahoma State and Kansas.

Stanford, with five returning all-Americans, holds down the No. 1 spot in the women's poll, followed by Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma State, BYU, Illinois, Duke, Arkansas, Arizona State and Wisconsin.

Generals open season tonight

The Eugene Generals will open their 2006-07 NOR-PAC junior hockey season at 7:35 tonight against the River City Jaguars with plenty of opening-day activities.

The Generals will retire the No. 15 jersey for late coach Robert Freeland, who died during the offseason.

The team will then raise its 2005-06 Western Division championship banner, which will be followed by a live rendition of the national anthem.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Children under 5 are free.