Thursday, October 12, 2017

CLAN, VIKINGS DOMINATE AT LAKE PADDEN: Simon Fraser and Western Washington showed that they are ready for the upcoming GNAC Championships with strong performances on the conference at the Western Washington Classic.

Simon Fraser’s women won their fourth race in as many tries this season with a score of 44 points. The Clan placed all five scoring runners in the top-30 and four in the top-16. Senior Julia Howley led the way with her seventh-place time of 21:49.8. It marked the first time this season that she has finished worse than second.

The Western Washington men placed three runners in the top-20 en route to a second-place team finish with a score of 76 points. Senior Andrew Wise was named GNAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week for his sixth-place performance, leading the Vikings with a time of 31:42.4.
 
SEAWOLVES CROSSOVER: It was the team’s first meet in over a month, but Alaska Anchorage showed that there is little rust as they finished their prep for the GNAC Championships.

The UAA women placed third at the Division II Conference Crossover in Romeoville, Illinois, finishing with a score of 126 points. Defending GNAC and West Region champion Caroline Kurgat led the way as she won the race in a time of 21:18.9 for 6,000 meters. The performance earned Kurgat selection as both the GNAC and USTFCCCA Division II Women’s Athlete of the Week for the second time this season.

The Seawolves’ men placed sixth out of 29 teams with a total of 223 points. Defending GNAC champion Edwin Kangogo led the way with his 19th place finish in 25:29.3.

IN THE RANKINGS: Simon Fraser continues to lead a solid top-10 presence for the GNAC in the USTFCCCA Division II Women’s Coaches Poll. The Clan dropped one spot to No. 5 this week while Alaska Anchorage emerged once again at No. 8. After opening the season at No. 7, the Seawolves dropped out of the poll for three weeks.

Three GNAC teams are in the USTFCCCA Men’s Coaches Poll. Western Oregon is tied for 13th, Alaska Anchorage is No. 17 and Western Washington earned its first ranking of the season at No. 23.

BREAKING THE TAPE: Ten GNAC athletes have picked up victories in races over the course of the season. Here is the complete list...
MEN
• Jorey Egeland (MSUB): Yellowjacket Invitational, Oct. 7 (21:48.7, 4.2 miles)
• Felix Kemboi (UAA): Ash Creek Invitational, Sept. 8 (18:42.8, 6,200 meters)
• Judd Lewis (CU): Linfield Harrier Classic, Sept. 1 (19:58.36, 6,000 meters)
• David Ribich (WOU): SF State Invitational, Sept. 22 (24:47.0, 8,000 meters)

WOMEN
• Caroline Kurgat (UAA): Division II Conference Crossover, Oct. 7 (21:18.9, 6,000 meters)
• Alyssa Foote (SPU): Dual vs. Northwest (Wash.), Sept. 1 (17:20.95, 4,800 meters)
• Julia Howley (SFU): Ash Creek Invitational, Sept. 8 (16:24.6, 4,600 meters)
• Larissa Kolasinski (SMU): Puget Sound Invitational, Sept. 2 (23:51.00, 6,000 meters)
• Kennedy Rufener (WOU): Linfield Harrier Classic, Sept. 1 (15:21.41, 4,000 meters)
• Alexa Shindruk (CWU): SMU Tri-Meet, Sept. 9 (14:40, 4,000 meters)

THIS WEEK'S GNAC ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
MEN
Andrew Wise, Western Washington
Senior • Denver, Colo.

Wise was the top GNAC finisher at Saturday’s Western Washington Classic, placing sixth to lead the Vikings to a second place team finish. He covered the 10,000-meter course in 31:42.4, averaging 5:06 per mile.

Also Nominated: Edwin Kangogo (Alaska Anchorage), Josh Boston (Central Washington), Jorey Egeland (Montana State Billings), Josh Hunt (Saint Martin’s), Oliver Jorgensen (Simon Fraser).

WOMEN
Caroline Kurgat, Alaska Anchorage
Senior • Eldoret, Kenya

Racing for the first time in a month, Kurgat won the Division II Conference Crossover in Romeoville, Ill., on Saturday with a time of 21:18.5 for 6,000 meters (5:43 per mile pace). The defending GNAC and NCAA West Region champion led the Seawolves to a third-place team finish.

Also Nominated: Alexa Shindruk (Central Washington), Nikki Aiken (Montana State Billings), Yadira Lopez (Saint Martin’s), Julia Howley (Simon Fraser), Lillianna Stelling (Western Washington).

AROUND THE GNAC
ALASKA
LAST WEEK: Oct. 7 at Western Washington Classic
Men: 9th of 11, 276 pts. Women: 10th of 12, 283 pts.
THIS WEEK: No Meet

• Alaska completed its regular season schedule at the Western Washington Classic, placing ninth in the men’s race and 10th in the women’s race.

• Senior Carl Wahlin led the Nanooks’ men in 59th place, covering the 10,000-meter course in 33:49.8. Senior Nick Lovett was the No. 2 finisher with his 69th place time of 34:08.3.

• Junior Morgan Siebka led the UAF women, placing 69th with a time of 23:56.2 for 6,000 meters. Freshman Anja Naijala placed 79th in a time of 24:26.6.

• Alaska will next compete at the GNAC Championships on Sat., Oct. 21. The Nanooks will look to improve on their eighth place men’s and women’s finishes from last year.

ALASKA ANCHORAGE
LAST WEEK: Oct. 7 at Division II Conference Crossover
Men: 5th of 29, 223 pts. Women: 3rd of 33, 126 pts.
THIS WEEK: No Meet

• Alaska Anchorage competed well in its first race since Sept. 8, placing third in the women’s competition and fifth in the men’s race at the Division II Conference Crossover.

• Senior Caroline Kurgat was named both the GNAC and USTFCCCA Division II Women’s Athlete of the Week after winning the women’s 6,000-meter race in a time of 21:18.9, 13 seconds better than second place Sarah Berger of Walsh. Kurgat is the defending GNAC and NCAA West Region champion.

• Junior Zennah Jepchumba followed with a 15th place finish in 22:12.0 and sophomore Emmah Chelimo was 26th in 22:30.4.

• Defending GNAC men’s champion Edwin Kangogo led the UAA men with his 19th place finish, covering the 8,000-meter course in 25:29.3. Freshman Felix Kemboi was four places behind, placing 23rd in 25:31.7. Another freshman, Nickson Koech, placed 42nd in 25:48.4.

• After not being ranked for the last three weeks, the UAA women are back at No. 8 in the USTFCCCA Division II Coaches Poll and are ranked fourth in the West Region. The Seawolves’ men dropped four places to No. 17 in the national poll and one spot to No. 5 in the West Region Poll.

• Alaska Anchorage is the defending GNAC champion in both team races. The Seawolves’ men are looking to win their ninth straight title while the women are aiming for their third consecutive trophy.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON
LAST WEEK: Oct. 7 at Western Washington Classic
Men: 7th of 11, 182 pts. Women: 6th of 12, 165 pts.
THIS WEEK: Oct. 14 at Lewis-Clark State Invitational, Lewiston, Idaho

• A sixth-place team finish by the women’s squad led Central Washington’s efforts at the Western Washington Classic.

• Junior Alexa Shindruk had her fourth top-15 finish of the season, placing 11th as she covered the 6,000-meter course in 22:09.1. She was the third GNAC runner to cross the finish line.

• Freshman Jackline Knight was the Wildcats’ No. 2 women’s runner, placing 39th in 23:09.8 while sophomore Miranda Nelson was 53rd in 23:29.4.

• Junior Josh Boston led the CWU men, placing 41st with a time of 33:12.2 over 10,000 meters. Junior Corbin Carlton was 46th in 33:26.6 while junior Tyler Humphries was 47th in 33:27.4.

• Central Washington is one of three GNAC teams scheduled to compete this weekend, taking part in the Lewis-Clark State Invitational in Lewiston, Idaho.

CONCORDIA
LAST WEEK: No Meet
THIS WEEK: No Meet
• Concordia has not competed since the Willamette Charles Bowles Invitational on Sept. 30 and will not compete again until the GNAC Championships on Oct. 21.

• Concordia’s men were the top placing GNAC team at the Willamette Charles Bowles Invitational. The Cavaliers scored 192 points, one point behind Lewis & Clark and 12 points behind host Willamette. Senior Judd Lewis was the Cavaliers’ top finisher, placing 17th with a time of 25:39.6 over the 8,000-meter course.

• Junior Nicole Pederson was Concordia’s top women’s finisher, placing 52nd with a time of 19:09.9 over 5,000 meters.

• Concordia will look to build on a ninth-place men’s team finish and a 10th place women’s team finish at the GNAC Championships.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
LAST WEEK: Oct. 7 at Yellowjacket Invitational
Men: 2nd of 5, 40 pts. Women: 2nd of 5, 38 pts.
THIS WEEK: No Meet

• Montana State Billings scored a pair of second-place team finishes in its hometown, competing in the Yellowjacket Invitational in Billings.

• Senior Jorey Egeland won the men’s 4.2-mile race with a time of 21:48.7, averaging 5:11 per mile. He led four MSUB runners to finish in the top-10.

• Junior Tyus Mendoza placed fourth in 22:24.5. Freshman Ronald Venema was eighth with a time of 22:49.8 and junior Ivan Colmenero finished ninth in 22:51.8.

• Sophomore Nikki Aiken led the Yellowjackets’ women with a third-place individual finish, covering the 2.9-mile course in 18:45.2.

• All five scoring MSUB women’s runners finished with nine places of each other. Senior Bailey Bomar placed seventh in 20:05.4 while sophomore Catrina Schuchard was 10th in 20:30.8.

• Montana State Billings finished fifth in the men’s race at the 2016 GNAC Championships while the women placed 11th.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
LAST WEEK: Oct. 7 at Western Washington Classic
Men: 8th of 11, 193 pts. Women: 8th of 12, 242 pts.
THIS WEEK: Oct. 14 at Idaho State Invitational, Pocatello, Idaho

• A pair of eighth place finishes paced the Northwest Nazarene men’s and women’s teams at the Western Washington Classic.

• Sophomore Godfrey Kemboi led the NNU men with his 27th place finish, covering the 10,000-meter course in 32:38.9. Junior Nick Hamilton finished 40th with his time of 33:11.4.

• Junior Sierra Manzer was the Crusaders’ lead women’s runner, finishing 33rd on the 6,000-meter course in a time of 22:58.9. Junior Emily Hammons added a 73rd place finish with her time of 24:01.8.

• Northwest Nazarene is one of three GNAC teams competing this weekend, The Crusaders will travel to Pocatello, Idaho, to compete in the Idaho State Invitational.

SAINT MARTIN’S
LAST WEEK: Oct. 7 at Western Washington Classic
Men: 11th of 11, 312 pts. Women: 9th of 12, 249 pts.
THIS WEEK: No Meet

• Saint Martin’s completed its run-up to the GNAC Championships at the Western Washington Classic.

• Senior Yadira Lopez was the top SMU runner in either race. She finished 42nd in the women’s race as she covered the 6,000-meter course in 23:14.7. Junior Larissa Kolasinski was four places behind in 46th with a time of 23:22.2.

• Senior Josh Hunt led the Saint Martin’s men with his 89th place finish, covering the 10,000-meter course in 34:57.9.

• Saint Martin’s will vie to replicate its fifth-place women’s finish at the GNAC Championships while the men aim to move up from 10th place.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
LAST WEEK: Oct. 7 at Western Washington Classic
Men: 6th of 11, 180 pts. Women: 5th of 12, 114 pts.
THIS WEEK: No Meet

• Seattle Pacific put together a pair of solid team finishes at the Western Washington Classic to close the regular season.

• Running in just her second meet of the season, senior Mary Charleson led the SPU women with her 13th place time of 22:14.2 over 6,000 meters. She was the fourth GNAC finisher in the race. Freshman Dania Holmberg finished in 29th place with a time of 22:50.1.

• The SPU women saw four of its scoring five runners place in the top-35. Sophomore Alyssa Foote was 34th in 23:00.2 while sophomore Kate Lilly was 35th in 23:01.7

• Senior Ben Halladay placed 25th to lead the Seattle Pacific men, covering the 10,000-meter course in 32:34.9. He was the seventh GNAC finisher in the race. Freshman Shad Galloway was the No. 2 with a 50th place time of 33:35.8.

• Seattle Pacific will look to compete for the women’s title at the GNAC Championships after placing third last year. The SPU men placed 11th.

SIMON FRASER
LAST WEEK: Oct. 7 at Western Washington Classic
Men: 3rd of 11, 92 pts. Women: 1st of 12, 46 pts.
THIS WEEK: No Meet

• Simon Fraser completed a solid tune-up before the GNAC Championships at the Western Washington Classic.

• The SFU women had its fourth win in as many races with a score of 44 points. All five scoring Clan runners finished within one minute of each other.

• Senior Julia Howley led all GNAC runners with her seventh-place time of 21:49.8 over 6,000 meters. It was the first race this season where she finished outside of the top-five. Junior Addy Townsend placed eighth in 21:57.3 while freshman Olivia Willett was 15th in 22:19.9.

• Senior Oliver Jorgensen paced Simon Fraser’s third place men’s finish with his 12th place time of 31:49.8 for 10,000 meters. He was the second GNAC runner to cross the finish line. Junior Sean Miller placed 13th in 31:54.6 while senior Mateo de Dalmases was 18th in 32:17.1.

• Simon Fraser’s women dropped one spot to No. 5 in the USTFCCCA Division II Coaches Poll and to No. 2 in the West Region Rankings behind national No. 1 Cal Baptist.

WESTERN OREGON
LAST WEEK: No Meet
THIS WEEK: Oct. 14 at Wes Cook Collegiate, Brooks, Ore.

• Western Oregon did not compete last weekend and will complete its prep for the GNAC Championships this Saturday at the Wes Cook Collegiate.

• Western Oregon competed last on Sept. 30 at the Willamette Charles Bowles Invitational. Sophomore Sawyer Heckard was the top WOU runner in the men’s 8,000-meter race, placing 53rd with a time of 26:32.7. Freshman Shayla Solomon was the top Wolves’ women’s finisher, placing 88th in the 5,000-meter race with a time of 19:44.1.

• Western Oregon’s men moved up four spots to a tie for No. 13 with CSU-Pueblo in the USTFCCCA Division II Coaches Poll. The Wolves are also ranked No. 7 in the West Regional.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
LAST WEEK: Oct. 7 at Western Washington Classic
Men: 2nd of 11, 76 pts. Women: 4th of 12, 106 pts.
THIS WEEK: No Meet

• Western Washington finished up the regular season strong with a pair of solid team finishes on the home course at the Western Washington Classic.

• Senior Andrew Wise was named GNAC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week thanks to his sixth-place finish on the 10,000-meter course with a time of 31:42.6. He was the top-placing GNAC runner in the meet.

• Sophomore Jadon Olson placed 15th in a time of 32:01.2 while freshman Liam Cossette collected a 20th place finish with his time of 32:20.9.

• Senior Lillianna Stelling was the Vikings’ top women’s runner, placing 19th with a time of 22:28.4 over 6,000 meters. She was the No. 7 GNAC finisher. Senior Alexandra Laiblin was three places back, finishing 22nd in 22:35.7.

• The Western Washington men picked up their first national ranking of the season, emerging at No. 23 in the USTFCCCA Division II Coaches Poll. The WWU men are No. 7 in the West Region Rankings while the women are ranked No. 8.