Tuesday, December 9, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – Guests for episode 46 of GNAC Insider included Alaska Anchorage cross country coach Michael Friess, Seawolf guard Alli Madison and Simon Fraser guard Sango Niang.

Friess is in his 25th year as Alaska Anchorage’s cross country coach. On Saturday, the UAA men and women raced at the 2014 NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships at “Tom” Sawyer Park in Louisville, Kent. The men placed three runners in the top 30 to finish sixth overall while the women earned their seventh straight top 10 finish placing eighth. Friess talked about his teams performances at the championships. 

Madison is in her senior year playing for the Seawolves. This season, Madison is averaging 12.7 points per game while stealing 2.1 basketballs each contest to help the Wolves to an undefeated 7-0 record. UAA just recently came off two big conference wins over defending GNAC champions Montana State Billings and No. 23 Seattle Pacific. Madison earned GNAC Player of the Week for her performances in these wins. The Seattle native discussed these wins, including having friends and family watching her play the last game in her home town.

Niang is in his senior season at Simon Fraser. In his second full year with the Clan, Niang leads the conference in scoring, assists and steals per game. Simon Fraser, which is tops in Division II in scoring, recently beat Western Washington in its conference opener 122-188, breaking a GNAC record for points scored in a contest. The Clans win was their first against the Vikings in 15 years. Niang discussed this historical win and how the Clan has been thriving in their new style of play. 

GNAC Insider is taking a break for the Holiday season. The next episode will air Jan. 6, 2015 at 7 p.m. Pacific.

All episodes become available as free podcasts via iTunes, and for archived listening via GNAC.TV.