Thursday, October 6, 2016

GOOD SHOWING AGAINST LARGE FIELDS: The GNAC performed well against some of the largest race fields the conference will see outside of the regional and national championships.

At the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitiational on Saturday, the conference had four men’s teams and four women’s teams place in the top-10. Western Oregon led the way for the men, placing fifth with 166 points. Central Washington placed fifth in the women’s competition with 175 points.

The women’s race featured a pair of top-five finishers. Shannon Porter of Saint Martin’s won the race, covering the 5,000 meters in 17:06.7. Dorothy O’Donnell of Alaska placed fifth with a time of 17:57.8.

Simon Fraser put on a good show for the GNAC at the Stanford Invitational. The women were the top non-Division I team, placing fifth with a score of 165 points. The Clan men placed eighth with 234 points. Senior Rebecca Bassett was the top individual finisher, placing 17th in the women’s 6,000-meter race in 21:23.20.

ALL EYES ON BELLINGHAM: Eight GNAC teams will be at East Lake Padden Park in Bellingham, Wash., on Saturday to receive a preview of the GNAC Championships course. The Western Washington Invitational will take place on the same course that will hos the championship event in two weekends.

Scheduled to join the host Vikings at the meet is Alaska, Alaska Anchorage, Central Washington, Concordia, Saint Martin’s, Seattle Pacific and Simon Fraser. Over 200 men and 180 women are expected to compete. The women will compete at the regional and national championship distance of 10,000 meters while the women will compete at 6,000 meters.

IN THE RANKINGS: Both of the top GNAC teams picked up one spot in the latest USTFCCCA Division II Coaches Poll. The Alaska Anchorage men moved up one spot into a tie at No. 8 with Western State. The Western Washington women moved up one to No. 15. The Vikings’ men dropped one spot to No. 22 while the Seattle Pacific women climbed one spot to No. 18.

In the men’s regional rankings, Alaska Anchorage is No. 3, followed by Western Washington at No. 6, Simon Fraser at No. 8 and Western Oregon at No. 10. Western Washington is No. 4 in the women’s West Region Rankings, followed by Seattle Pacific at No. 5, Alaska Anchorage at No. 6 and Simon Fraser at No. 8.

BREAKING THE TAPE: A total of 10 GNAC athletes have won 12 races over the first three weeks of the season. Western Oregon’s David Ribich and Saint Martin’s Shannon Porter are both two race winners. Here is the complete list...

MEN
• Godfrey Kemboi (NNU): Yellowjacket Invitational, Sept. 23 (32:20.5).
• Edwin Kangogo (UAA): Notre Dame de Namur Argo Invite, Sept. 3 (21:14.9).
• David Ribich (WOU): John Frank OSU Invitational, Sept. 3 (18:21.6.); Ash Creek Invitaitional #1, Sept. 9 (18:53.8.).
• Andrew Wise (WWU): Central Washington Invitational, Sept. 10 (20:19).

WOMEN
• Rebecca Bassett (SFU): Ash Creek Inviational #1, Sept. 10 (16:52.8).
• Mary Charleson (SPU): Humboldt Invitational, Sept. 10 (21:08.21).
• Elena Gomez (CWU): Central Washington Invitational, Sept. 10 (15:11)
• Caroline Kurgat (UAA): Notre Dame de Namur Invitational, Sept. 3 (18:52.9).
• Sierra Manzer (NNU): Idaho State Invitational, Sept. 2 (10:45.2).
• Shannon Porter (SMU): Logger Invitational, Sept. 3 (20:35.17); SMU Open, Sept. 24 (17:50.10).

THIS WEEK'S GNAC ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
MEN
Judd Lewis, Concordia
Junior • Wenatchee, Wash.

Lewis was the top Division II finisher at the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational, placing seventh with a time of 25:08.4 over 8,000 meters. He was beat by five Division I runners and led three GNAC runners grouped within four seconds of each other.

Also Nominated: Josiah Shelman (Saint Martin’s).

WOMEN
Shannon Porter, Saint Martin’s
Senior • Vancouver, Wash.

Porter blistered the field at the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational, winning the 5,000-meter race in a time of 17:06.7. She beat Mathilde Sagnes of Division I Portland by 25 seconds and was 51 seconds ahead of the next nearest GNAC finisher.

Also Nominated: Rebecca Bassett (Simon Fraser).

AROUND THE GNAC
ALASKA
• Alaska returned to competition with a pair of solid performances at the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational. The Nanooks’ men placed seventh with 218 points while the women placed eighth with 216 points.

• Senior Dorothy O’Donnell led the way for the Nanooks with her fifth place finish in the women’s 5,000-meter race, finishing in a time of 17:57.8. She was the second GNAC runner to cross the line. Senior Kali Striker finished in 26th place in 18:43.2.

• Freshman Lukash Platil led the Nanooks’ men for the second consecutive meet, placing 31st in the 8,000-meter race in 25:48.3. Junior Alex Eckert was four places behind in 35th place with a time of 25:55.3.

• Alaska returns to the mainland this weekend, competing at the Western Washington Invitational in Bellingham, Wash.

ALASKA ANCHORAGE
• Alaska Anchorage has not competed each of the last two weekends. The Seawolves return to competition this weekend at the Western Washington Invitational.

• Alaska Anchorage posted a pair of solid showings at the Sundodger Invitational on Sept. 17. The Seawolves’ men placed second with 86 points while the UAA women placed sixth with 138 points.

• The UAA men placed all seven of their scoring runners in the top-50 and had a 1 minute, 23 second gap between the No. 1 and No. 5 runners. Senior Michel Ramirez placed third in a time of 24:08.00, less than 10 seconds behind the individual champion. Junior Edwin Kangogo was also in the top-10, placing sixth in 24:32.60.

• Junior Caroline Kurgat was the only Alaska Anchorage women’s runner in the top-25, placing third in 20:34.90. She was five seconds behind the individual runner. Sophomore Jennah Jepchumba was the No. 2 runners, placing 32nd in 22:22.60.

• Alaska Anchorage moved into a tie for eighth in this week’s USTFCCCA Division II Men’s Coaches Poll with Western State. The Seawolves are ranked No. 3 in the West Region, leading all GNAC teams. The women were among those receiving votes in the national poll and are No 6 in the West Region Rankings.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON
• Central Washington also posted a pair of good team performances at the Charles Bowles WIllamette Invitational. The Wildcats’ women placed fifth with 175 points and were the top GNAC team in the meet. The CWU men placed sixth with 173 points, seven points behind Western Oregon.

• Sophomore Alexa Shindruk led the CWU women, placing ninth with a time of 18:13.4 over 5,000 meters. Sophomore Elena Gomez placed 25th in a time of 18:41.6. There was a 1:11 gap between the No. 1 and No. 5 runners.

• Sophomore Tyler Humphries was the top Central Washington men’s finisher, placing 34th with a time of 25:55.3 over 8,000 meters. Junior Ron Leaf was three places behind as he crossed the line in 37th place with a time of 25:59.7.

• Central Washington will join much of the rest of the conference at the Western Washington Invitational on Saturday in Bellingham, Wash.

CONCORDIA
• Concordia was one of five GNAC teams competing at the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational. The Cavaliers’ men placed ninth with 244 points while the women placed 18th with 516 points.

• Concordia had two top-10 finishers in the men’s race. Junior Judd Lewis was named the GNAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week after he placed seventh in a time of 25:08.4. He was the first Division II athlete to cross the finish line. Senior Jared Seckel placed ninth with a time of 25:12.7.

• Senior Ethan Livermore finished just out of the top-25, placing 26th in a time of 25:44.8.

• Sophomore Nicole Pederson was the top Concordia finisher in the women’s 5,000-meter race, placing 88th in a time of 19:52.6. Freshman Gabby Hobson placed 106th in a time of 20:08.4.

• Concordia will be among eight GNAC teams competing at the Western Washington Invitational on Saturday. It will be the Cavaliers’ last race prior to the GNAC Championships.

• Concordia is in the third year of a three-year transition process to NCAA Division II membership. This is its second year competing in full Division II and GNAC schedules. While the Cavaliers are eligible to win the GNAC championship, they are not eligible for regional & national competition.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
• Montana State Billings received a good test among Division I competition at the Rocky Mountain Shootout in Boulder, Colo. The Yellowjackets’ men placed second among non-Division I teams with 41 points while the MSUB women placed fourth with 101 points.

• Senior Garrett Love led the Montana State Billings men, placing 32nd in the 8,000-meter race in a time of 27:17 (placing was among all competitors). Junior Jorey Egeland placed 39th with a time of 27:35.

• In the women’s 5,800-meter race, senior Rio Frame led the way for MSUB by placing 37th in 24:36. Junior Bailey Bomar placed 48th with a time of 25:22.

• Montana State Billings will host its second cross country meet of the season on Saturday, welcoming teams for the Yellowjacet Invitational at Amend Park. It will be the Yellowjackets’ last meet prior to the GNAC Championships.

• Montana State Billings will be a relative unknown to the rest of the conference. Outside of Northwest Nazarene at the Yellowjacket Invitational, the Yellowjackets will not race against GNAC competition until the GNAC Championships on Oct. 22.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
• Northwest Nazarene did not compete last weekend. The Crusaders will head south this week, competing in the San Francisco State Invitational on Friday at Golden Gate Park.

• Northwest Nazarene posted a pair of outstanding team performances at the Yellowjacket Invitational. on Sept. 23. The Crusaders’ women placed second of six teams while the men placed third, both scoring 58 points.

• Freshman Godfrey Kemboi earned GNAC Male Athlete of the Week after he won the meet in just his second collegiate race. Kemboi covered the championship 10,000-meter distance in a time of 32:20.44. Junior Issac Mitchell finished in fifth place in 32:48.47.

• The Manzer sisters posted a pair of top-5 finishes to lead the NNU women. Sophomore Sierra Manzer placed second in a time of 22:58.17 for 6,000 meters while junior Anysja Manzer placed third in 23:36.44. Sophomore Emily Hammons also had a top-15 finish, placing 12th in 24:47.38.

• Northwest Nazarene will be one of four GNAC teams scheduled to compete in the weekend prior to the GNAC Championships. The Crusaders will race at the Lewis & Clark Invitational on Oct. 15.

SAINT MARTIN’S
• It was another solid weekend for the Saint Martin’s cross country teams. The Saints’ women placed seventh with 213 points while the men placed 15th with 369 points.

• Senior Shannon Porter was named GNAC Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week for the third time after she won the women’s 5,000-meter race by a 25-second margin. Porter finished with a time of 17:06.7, well ahead of second place Mathilde Sagnes of Portland.

• Junior Yadira Lopez had her second top-10 finish of the season, placing sixth in a time of 18:01.8. She was the third GNAC runner to cross the line.

• Senior Josiah Shelman was the top Saint Martin’s men’s finisher, placing 54th in a time of 26:14.2. Sophomore Joe Edgecomb placed 89th in 26:53.4.

• Saint Martin’s wil lbe one of eight GNAC teams competing at the Western Washington Invitational on Saturday. It will be the Saints’ final meet erfore the GNAC Championships.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
• Seattle Pacific did not compete last weekend. The Falcons will complete their run-up for the GNAC Championships on Saturday at the Western Washington Invitational.

• Seattle Pacific’s women were just short of perfect at the SMU Invitational on Sept. 24, placing eight runners in the top-10 to win the meet with a score of 22 points. The Falcons’ men placed eighth with a score of 171 points.

• Junior Mary Charleson led the Falcons, placing second on the 5,000-meter course in a time of 18:01.70. Senior Sarah Macdonald placed third in 18:16.10 while senior Hannah Calvert placed fourth in 18:34.70.

• Junior Ben Halladay scored a top-10 finish for the Seattle Pacific men, placing ninth in a time of 26:34.70. Freshman Danny Provo finished in 19th as he covered the 8,000-meter course in 27:06.70.

• Seattle Pacific’s women climbed one spot in the USTFCCCA Division II Poll to No. 18, its highest ranking of the season. The Falcons are No. 5 in the West Region Rankings.

SIMON FRASER
• Simon Fraser tested their fitness against Division I teams at the Stanford Invitational. The Clan women placed fifth in the women’s college open race with 165 points and was the top non-Division I team. The SFU men placed eighth in the men’s college open with 234 points.

• Senior Rebecca Bassett was the top non-Division I finisher in the women’s 6,000-meter race, placing 17th in a time of 21:23.20. Junior Julia Howley finished 20th in 21:28.30.

• Junior Braeden Charlton led the Simon Fraser men, placing 36th in a time of 24:27.20 over 8,000 meters. Sophomore Sean Miller seven places behind in 43rd with a time of 24:35.90.

• Simon Fraser enters the week ranked No. 8 in both the men’s and women’s USTFCCCA West Region Rankings, Neither team received national poll votes.

• The Clan will be among eight GNAC teams competing at the Western Washington Invitational on Saturday in Bellingham. The Clan will be one of four conference teams scheduled to compete the week before the GNAC Championships at the Emerald City Open on Oct. 15.

WESTERN OREGON
• Western Oregon stayed close to home, competing at the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational in Salem. The Wolves’ men placed fifth with 166 points while the women placed ninth with 219 points.

• Sophomore Dustin Nading led the WOU men, placing eighth with a time of 25:08.8 over 8,000 meters. Freshman Justin Crosswhite placed 16th in a time of 25:27.0. The Wolves’ top men’s runner, junior David Ribich, did not compete.

• Junior Kennedy Ruferner was Western Oregon’s top women’s runner once again, placing 16th in a time of 18:26.0. Sophomore Grace Knapp placed 33rd in a time of 18:48.7.

• Western Oregon’s men continued to be ranked in the USTFCCCA West Region Rankings, ranked No. 10 for the third consecutive week.

• Western Oregon will host its second meet of the season on Friday, welcoming teams for the Ash Creek Invitational #2 at the Ash Creek Preserve.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
• Western Washington did not compete last weekend. The Vikings will host a preview of the GNAC Championships course on Saturday with the Western Washington Invitational at Lake Padden Park.

• Western Washington competed with split squads on Sept. 24. The VIkings’ top runners competed at the Roy Griak Invitiational in Minnesota, with the men placing fifth and the women placing sixth. The remainder of the team competed at the SMU Open with the Vikings taking second in both team races.

• Junior Isaac Derline placed sixth at the Griak with a time of 26:16.8 over 8,000 meters while junior Andrew Wise placed 10th in a time of 26:27.3. Senior Brittany Grant was the top WWU women’s finisher, placing 15th in a time of 23:29.9 for 6,000 meters.

• At the SMU Open, freshman Peter Butler led the WWU men as he finished fourth in a time of 26:27.10 for 8,900 meters. Sophomore Dylan Hayes was sixth in 26:28.00. Freshman Peyton Shinnick placed 13th in 19:19.50 to lead the women in the 5,000-meter race.

• The WWU women improved one spot in the USTFCCCA Division II Women’s Coaches Poll to No. 15 and is No. 4 in the West Region Rankings. The WWU men dropped one spot to No. 22 in the national poll and are No. 6 in the regional rankings.