Western Washington University’s women’s and men’s cross country teams have each started a dynasty after winning their third straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships title — and fourth in the last five years.
The men’s team won its eighth title in program history with a dominant performance Saturday, Oct. 26 at Sudden Valley Golf Course. The Vikings had four runners place in the top 10 to finish with 32 team points, easily outdistancing second-place Northwest Nazarene (73 points).
Gallery: Western women, men XC sweep GNAC Championships
Western junior Jeret Gillingham won the meet in 24 minutes, 18.3 seconds. Ryan Clough finished fourth in 24:36.4, George Karamitsos was seventh 24:44.4 and Jared Alderfer placed ninth in 24:47 seconds. Jonah Billings earned GNAC Freshman of the Year honors after placing 12th in 24:56.3.
The women’s cross country team won with 48 points, while Alaska Fairbanks finished a distant second with 74 points. The Vikings had seven runners in the top 14, including their five scoring runners in the top 12.
Ashley Reeck was the top Western runner, placing sixth in 21:49.8 seconds. Sophie Wright was ninth in 21:58.8, Ella Edens came in 10th in 21:59.9, Danielle McLain placed 11th in 22:06.6 and Ila Davis finished 12th in 22:09.5.
Western women and men will next be training for the West Regional Championships set for Saturday, Nov. 9 at Amend Park in Billings, Montana.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
