Tuesday, May 17, 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s All-Sports Trophy will remain in Bellingham for another year as the Vikings have claimed their eighth straight conference all-sports championship.

Western Washington compiled 203 of a possible 290 points, led by a pair of conference championships in women’s soccer and women’s golf. It also marks the Vikings’ 12th overall GNAC all-sports title in the conference’s 15 years.

“This award is a validation of an excellent comprehensive athletic program,” said Western Washington athletic director Steve Card. “Our program as a whole has overcome some adversity to once again have an outstanding year. I am proud of our student-athletes, coaches and support staff for representing Western Washington at the highest level.”

Western Washington was also the women’s all-sports champion for the sixth consecutive season, finishing with a total of 124 points. Western Oregon was the men’s all-sports champion, ending the Vikings’ seven-year run, with a total of 92 points. Western Washington and Alaska Anchorage tied for second in the men’s all-sport standings with 79 points.

Alaska Anchorage finished second in the all-sports standings with 181 points. The Seawolves won seven titles in the nine GNAC sports they sponsor and also placed second in both the men’s and women’s all-sports standings (102 points). Central Washington finished third with a total of 181 points. The Wildcats were also third in the womens all-sports standings with 101 points.

Points are awarded in two-point increments based on final regular season finishes in football, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball and conference meet finishes in men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field and men’s and women’s golf.

Nine different schools won the league’s 16 team championships. Alaska Anchorage won an unprecedented seven championships in volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, women’s basketball and men’s outdoor track and field. Western Washington (women’s soccer and women’s golf) and Seattle Pacific (men’s soccer, women’s outdoor track and field) each won two championships. Central Washington (softball), Montana State Billings (baseball co-champion), Northwest Nazarene (baseball co-champion) Simon Fraser (women’s golf), Western Oregon (men’s basketball) and affiliate member Humboldt State (football) all won one championship.

In addition, Western Washington (women’s soccer), Alaska Anchorage (women’s basketball), Western Oregon (men’s basketball), Northwest Nazarene (baseball) and Central Washington (softball) won postseason team tournament championships.

The success of GNAC programs carried over to NCAA competition, led by the run of Alaska Anchorage’s women’s basketball program to the Division II championship game. Four other programs had top-four NCAA finishes: Western Washington women’s soccer and volleyball, Alaska Anchorage men’s cross country and Western Oregon men’s basketball.