Wednesday, October 9, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Fifteen teams, including four GNAC schools, will compete in the 40th annual Western Washington Viking Cross Country Classic Saturday at Lake Padden Park in Bellingham.

GNAC teams joining the Vikings will be Simon Fraser, Alaska Fairbanks and Central Washington.

Simon Fraser will bring a No. 7 women's national ranking into the meet.  They are one of three GNAC teams ranked nationally.  Alaska Anchorage, which is idle this Saturday, is ranked fifth in the women's division and eighth in the men's division.

The Seawolves climbed two spots (from 10th to 8th) in this week’s USTFCCCA men’s national poll.  MSU Billings received one ballot point and is among “others receiving votes”.  They are 31st overall.

There were no changes in this week’s West Regional polls.  

Alaska Anchorage held on to the No. 1 position in the women’s poll and the No. 2 slot in the men’s poll in back of Chico State.  MSUB Billings stayed at No. 5, equalizing its highest ever ranking, while Western Washington and Simon Fraser stayed at No. 7 and No. 9. 

On the women’s side, Simon Fraser  (3rd), Western Washington (7th) and Seattle Pacific (9th) maintained their rankings. 

In addition to the Viking Classic, two other events are on Saturday's schedule.  MSUB will host the 23rd MSUB Yellowjacket Invitational.  Meanwhile, Western Oregon will travel to Tacoma to compete in the Pacific Lutheran University Invitational.

UAA Sweeps Willamette Charles Bowles Invitational Title

Alaska Anchorage swept the team and individual titles Saturday in the 39th annual Willamette Charles Bowles Invitational. 

The Seawolves placed four runners in the Top 10 in cruising to an 110-point victory in the men’s division as Dylan Anthony and Isaac Kangogo finished 1-2 in 8,000-meter times of 24:20.34 and 24:33.34.   Brady Beagley of Western Oregon finished third in a time of 24:36.30. 

UAA’s women also had a dominating performance finishing 59 points ahead of second place Seattle Pacific as it placed four runners in the Top 6 led by Joyce Kipchumba and Susan Tanui, who finished second and third in times of 17:42.67 and 17:44.51. 

Tanui is the defending GNAC and West Region champion and finished second in last year’s national meet.   The women’s race was contested at 5,000 meters, 1,000 shy of the championship distance.

MSUB Men Third at Montana Invitational

MSU Billings placed third at Missoula in the Montana Invitational Saturday in back of Montana State and Montana as freshman Jamon Rodriguez led the Yellowjackets in a time of 25:49.   

Dani Eggleston of Central Washington was the top GNAC finisher in the women’s division in a time of 22:47.

LAST WEEK’S RECAPS

Willamette Charles Bowles (Oct. 5 at Salem): Men – Alaska Anchorage 30, Western Oregon 140, Willamette 143, UC San Cruz 154, Puget Sound 162 (9. Seattle Pacific 231, 12. Northwest Nazarene 291, Saint Martin’s 300).  Individuals (8,000 Meters) – 1. Dylan Anthony, UAA, 24:20.34; 2. Isaac Kangogo, UAA, 24:33.34; 3. Brady Beagley, WOU, 24:36.30; 4. Victor Samoei, UAA, 24:50.94; 10. Andrey Ionashku, UAA, 25:12.60.  Women – Alaska Anchorage 34, Seattle Pacific 93, Willamette 117, Portland 123, Whitworth 137 (7. Western Oregon 173, 8. Northwest Nazarene 210, 17. Saint Martin’s 541).  Individuals (5,000 Meters) – 1. Michaela Freeby, Willamette, 17:30.15; 2. Joyce Kipchumba, UAA, 17:42.67; 3. Susan Tanui, UAA, 17:44.51; 5. Ivy O’Guinn, UAA, 18:01.32; 6. Susan Bick, UAA, 18:10.04; 7. Natalie Evans, NNU, 18:10.39; 10. Annie Wade, WOU, 18:15.27. 

Montana Invitational (Oct. 4 at Missoula): Men – Montana State 16, Montana 58, Montana State Billings 73, Central Washington 113, Carroll 118, Rocky Mountain 151.  Individuals (8,000 Meters) – 1. Trevor Polson, MSU, 25:23; 6. Jamon Rodriguez, MSUB, 25.49; 12. Robert Peterson, MSUB, 26:09;16. Thomas Neale, MSUB, 26.32; 19. Rudy Spencer, CWU, 26:45.  Women – Montana State 21, Montana 47, Carroll 95, Central Washington 100, MSU  Billings 115, Rocky Mountain 115.  Individuals (6,000 Meters) – 1. Heather Demorest, MSU, 21:10; 12. Dani Eggleston, CWU, 22:47; 13. Connie Morgan, CWU, 22:48; 14. Jinise Osborne, MSUB, 22:53; 17. Renae Hepfner, MSUB, 23:10. 

GNAC RED LION ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Male – Dylan Anthony, Alaska Anchorage (Jr., Kodiak, AK) finished first in the Cardinal Division in the 39^th annual Charles Bowles Invitational at Salem Saturday.  Anthony, who recorded his third win in three starts this fall, covered the 8.000-meter course in a time of 24:20.34, 13 seconds ahead of teammate Isaac Kangogo. He previously posted a win in a dual with Hawaii Pacific and also won the Chaminade Invitational.

Women – Joyce Kipchumba, Alaska Anchorage (So., Kapsowar, Kenya – American International), finished second in back of Willamette’s Michaela Freeby, clocking a 5,000-meter time of 17:42.67.  She was the the first of four Seawolf finishers in the Top 6 as UAA cruised to an easy team victory.

Honorable Mention – Dani Eggleston, Central Washington (So., Longview, WA – R.A. Long); Joe Berger, Saint Martin’s (Sr., Enumclaw, WA); Erika Crock, Saint Martin’s (Sr., Port Orchard, WA – South Kitsap); Jamon Rodrigues, MSU Billings (Fr., Gillette, MT);  Michael Gordon, Northwest Nazarene (Jr., Kuna, ID); Natalie Evans, Northwest Nazarene (Sr., New Plymouth, ID); Brady Beagley, Western Oregon (Sr., Grants Pass, OR – North Valley).