Saturday, November 5, 2022

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Holding true to predictions, Alaska dominated the individual competition while Western Washington dominated the team competition in the women’s race at the GNAC Cross Country Championships, held Saturday at Western Oregon University’s Ash Creek Preserve.

After running neck-and-neck the entire 6,000 meters, it was Nanooks’ sophomores Kendall Kramer and Naomi Bailey holding hands across the finish line to make it as much of a team victory as it was an individual victory. Kramer was credited with the championship in a time of 20:37.0 while Bailey, who won the Division II Pre-Nationals two weeks ago, was second in 20:37.1.

Kramer became Alaska’s first individual champion since Pavla Havlova won the GNAC Championships back in 2004.

Western Washington used a solid team performance to win the program’s second championship and the first since 2019. The Vikings placed two runners in the top 10 to lead the way to a team score of 64 points.

Sophomore Mia Crocker led WWU in seventh place in a time of 21:30 while sophomore Sophie Wright was eighth in 21:39.6. Western Washington sophomore Meaera Shannon was named the Newcomer of the Year after she placed 11th in a time of 21:48.4.

While the Vikings were the team champions, the team storyline of the meet belonged to Saint Martin’s. The Saints placed three runners in the top 10 and finished second with a score of 78 points. It is the team’s best ever in a conference meet, men or women. The Saints’ next best women’s finish was fifth back in 2016.

Alauna Carstens was named the Freshman of the Year after placing fourth in a time of 21:16.7 to lead the Saints. Sophomore Cassidy Walchak-Sloan was sixth in a time of 21:19.6 while sophomore Sara Sabra placed ninth in a time of 21:42.4.

Sophomore Rosie Fordham gave Alaska three All-GNAC runners based on top-10 finishes, placing fifth in a time of 21:19.2. Western Oregon senior Caitlin Heldt performed well on her home course, finishing third in a time of 21:09.1.

Simon Fraser junior Grace Chalk rounded out the All-GNAC performers, placing 10th in a time of 21:45.4.

Western Washington and Saint Martin’s emerged from a competitive team race that saw the top-five teams separated by 27 points and second through fifth separated by just 13 points. Simon Fraser placed third with 86 points, followed by Western Oregon with 87 points and Alaska with 91 points.

In the individual competition, however, it became clear by the midway point that it would be Kramer and Bailey pacing the field. The duo led a sizable lead pack at 2,500 meters before surging along the course’s back stretch, building their lead to 10 seconds over the field at 3,900 meters.

The lead 30 seconds as the duo came down the finish stretch. Rather than duel each other for the championship medal, Kramer and Bailey joined hands as they crossed the finish mat. One runner had to be declared the winner, however, and finish-line cameras gave the nod to Kramer.

The conference’s teams now look ahead to the NCAA West Region Championships, hosted by Montana State Billings, which take place on Sat., Nov. 19 at Amend Park in Billings, Montana.

GNAC CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS WOMEN’S RESULTS
Team Scores: Western Washington 64, Saint Martin’s 78, Simon Fraser 86, Western Oregon 87, Alaska 91, Seattle Pacific 149, Alaska Anchorage 163, Montana State Billings 224, Northwest Nazarene 242, Central Washington 261.

Top 10 Finishers (All-GNAC): 1, Kendall Kramer, UAF, 20:37.0. 2, Naomi Bailey, UAF, 20:37.1. 3, Caitlin Heldt, WOU, 21:09.1. 4, Alauna Carstens, SMU, 21:16.7. 5, Rosie Fordham, UAF, 21:19.2. 6, Cassidy Walchak-Sloan, SMU, 21:19.6. 7, Mia Crocker, WWU, 21:30.0. 8, Sophie Wright, WWU, 21:39.6. 9, Sara Sabra, SMU, 21:42.4. 10, Grace Chalk, SFU, 21:45.4.

Athlete of the Year: Kendall Kramer, Alaska
Freshman of the Year: Alauna Carstens, Saint Martin’s
Newcomer of the Year: Meaera Shannon, Western Washington