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2021 GNAC Cross Country ChampionshipsAbout The GNACWith members in five states and the province of British Columbia, andwith a strong presence in or near the largest city of each, the GreatNorthwest Athletic Conference has established itself as one of the topDivision II athletic conferences in the NCAA during its 20-year history.Founded in July 2001, GNAC teams have had over 100 Division II top10 national team finishes in 15 of the 17 sports that it sponsors.The conference experienced its share of successes in the COVID-19challenged 2020-21 year. In outdoor track and field, Western Washingtonwon the men’s championship and Seattle Pacific earns the women’s title.At the national meet, Montana State Billings’ Beau Ackerman (javelin) andCalahan Warren (1,500 meters) earned All-American trophies.Affiliate-member Central Oklahoma won the conference’s firstwomen’s rowing title en route to winning its second consecutive nationalchampionship. Northwest Nazarene made history on the baseball diamond,winning the GNAC’s first-ever West Region title to become the firstconference team to reach the final eight of the NCAA Championships.The GNAC was last on the cross country course in 2019. TheNighthawks surprised everyone but themselves by taking second at theNCAA West Regional to lead three women’s teams and one men’s team thatqualified for the NCAA Championships.GNAC teams have won four national titles: Seattle University women’ssoccer in 2004, Seattle Pacific women’s soccer in 2008, Western Washingtonmen’s basketball in 2012 and Western Washington women’s soccer in 2016.Today’s Meet At Saint Martin’s UniversityFor the first time since 2006, Saint Martin’s University welcomesteams to its campus in Lacey, Washington for the GNAC Cross CountryChampionships.The Saint Martin’s campus was established in 1895 on a 300-acre lot andthe most distinguishable building on campus, Old Main, was completed in1913.Much of today’s meet will take place on a preserved natural area thatencompasses much of the north end of campus on a combination ofgravel and dirt trails. Races will begin on the eastern edge of the campusand will finish on the track.In addition to having hosted the 2006 GNAC Championships, SaintMartin’s annually holds the Ken Garland Classic on the campus course.2019 Meet ResultsOn The CoverAt Amend Park, Billings, Mont.MENTeam Champion: Western Washington, 38 pts.Athlete of the Year: Felix Kemboi, Alaska AnchorageNewcomer of the Year: Marcus Rice, Saint Martin’sFreshman of the Year: Deyago Peraza, Western WashingtonAfter a two-year absence, the conference’s top harriers are ready to competefor championship trophies this weekend.WOMENTeam Champion: Western Washington, 53 pts.Athlete of the Year: Emmah Chelimo, Alaska AnchorageNewcomer of the Year: Olivia Jimenez, Western OregonFreshman of the Year: Joan Kipsanai, Alaska AnchorageTo view past GNAC Cross Country Championships resultsand the complete history of cross country in the GNAC,scan the QR Code or visit GNACSports.com.2 GNACSports.comClockwise From Top Left:Caitlin Heldt (Western Oregon), DylanTidwell (Northwest Nazarene), BrittanyAquino (Western Washington), RajeshGill (Central Washington), Naomi Bailey(Alaska), Bryant Edgerton (MontanaState Billings), Nancy Jeptoo (AlaskaAnchorage), Kainalu Pagente (SaintMartin’s), Annika Esvelt (Seattle Pacific),Aaron Ahl (Simon Fraser).
2021 GNAC Cross Country ChampionshipsMEET PREVIEWVikings, Simon Fraser Lead Duel For XC TitlesLACEY, Wash. – After going withouta cross country season in 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the conference’stop harriers are back together as theGNAC Championships take place onSaturday on the campus of Saint Martin’sUniversity.In the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, there are many differencessince the conference’s teams last met 24months ago. Only five of the top-10 runners in the men’s and women’s races areback. The years have seen the emergenceof some new contenders for the title,including the Alaska women.What hasn’t changed, however, is theorder at the top. A new-look WesternWashington team will vie for its secondconsecutive conference title while SimonAlaska Anchorage freshman ColemanFraser and Alaska Anchorage will befactors in both races, both individually and Nash has not lost a race this seasonand has a season-best of 25:01.9.in the team competition.MENTwo years after Western Washington and Simon Fraser dueled for the title, bothteams look poised to duke it out for the top two spots once again.While the Vikings’ lineup looks vastly different than the one that won in 2019, ithas proven just as potent. Junior Mac Franks is one of just two athletes left from thatteam. He has assumed the leadership mantle with three top-10 finishes, includingan impressive fifth place at the Roy Griak Invitational. Senior Kaleb Korta addssignificant experience having placed 45th at the 2018 Championships for AlaskaAnchorage.Adding to the depth is a pair of dynamic freshmen in Jeret Gillingham and Kevin McDermott. Gillingham placed 12th at the Griak and 13th at the Bill Roe Classicwhile McDermott placed 14th two weeks ago at the Bill Roe.Simon Fraser is looking for its first conference title thanks to an experiencedlineup led by Aaron Ahl. The junior has not lost to a Division II runner in threemeets this season and ran a lifetime best of 24:30.6 to win the San Francisco StateInvitational in September. Freshman Charlie Dannatt provides a solid one-twopunch with three top-10 finishes.Further bolstering SFU’s chances are junior Sebastian Brinkman, who placed13th at the Mike Johnson Classic, and freshman Scott Arndt, who has three top-20finishes on the season.Alaska Anchorage has reloaded with the addition of Coleman Nash. The freshman has yet to lose a race this season and was a winner by 15 seconds at the Chambers Bay Collegiate Open. Nash complements senior Felix Kemboi, the defendingindividual champion. Kemboi has three top-10 finishes, headlined by placing fifth atChambers Bay.Junior Jacob Moos has run second to Nash in all three races and ran a lifetimebest of 25:16.1 at Chambers Bay.Northwest Nazarene looks to blend experience and youth to build upon itsfourth-place finish in 2019. Junior Tyler Shea has placed in the top three in all of hismeets this season, winning the Ken Garland Classic on the same course hosting theGNAC Championships. Freshman Dylan Tidwell paces the youth, coming in strongoff his 11th-place finish at the Bill Roe Classic.Senior Trevor Allen, who joins Kemboi as the only returning top-10 finishersfrom 2019, leads Central Washington. Allen’s season is headlined by a 10th-placefinish at the PLU Open and a season-best time of 25:27.7 at the Charles BowlesInvitational.Montana State Billings is turning some heads thanks to the performance of AseAckerman. The junior has four top-four finishes on the season, including a win atthe Gage McSpadden Memorial and a fourth-place finish at the Montana Open.Senior Carson Jessop ran 25:29 at the Yellowjacket/Battlin’ Bear Open.Saint Martin’s will look to its youth to perform well on its home course. Sophomore Jack Farrell had three top-10 finishes to his credit and helped pace the Saints toa third-place finish at Chambers Bay. Freshman Kainalu Pagente opened his careerby winning the Puget Sound Invitational and has three top-15 finishes.Western Oregon will pin its hopes to juniors Keanu Daos and Miguel Villar.Daos opened the season by winning the Ash Creek Collegiate while Villar led theWolves with a 35th-place finish at the Lewis Crossover.Seattle Pacific will be led by seniorColin Boutin, who has three top-15finishes this season and a best of 26:15over 6,000 meters. Alaska is led by seniorZephan Ozturgut.WOMENThe timing may never be better forSimon Fraser to win its first conferencechampionship since 2014. Simon Fraserhas won all three meets it has competedin. Its average margin of victory was 39points with the team placing all five scoring runners in the top 20 each time.Junior Olivia Willett has finished noworse than second this season and has notlost to a Division II opponent. She wonthe season-opening San Francisco StateInvitational and was 18 seconds clear ofSimon Fraser senior Olivia Willettthe nearest GNAC competitor at the Billhas yet to lose a race to a Division IIRoe Classic.competitior this season.The consistent group of front-running SFU athletes includes Division Isenior transfer Alison Andrews-Paul, juniors Megan Roxby and Emily Chilton andfreshman Kate Cameron.Perennial conference powerhouse Alaska Anchorage returns the GNAC’s mostexperienced runner in senior Nancy Jeptoo. The 2019 All-American is the top returning finisher from 2019 and has turned in three top-four performances, led by hersecond-place finish at the Chambers Bay Collegiate Open.Adding depth are juniors Joan Kipsanai and Alfin Nyamasyo. Kipsanai placedsixth at the 2019 conference meet and has two top-10 finishes this season. Nyamasyoalso has a pair of top-10 finishes while sophomore Bailey Roe posted a 14th-placefinish at Chambers Bay.Western Washington, the defending champion, will have to have a young lineuppull through to take the trophy again in 2021. The Vikings placed a solid sixth at theRoy Griak Invitational, proving their mettle in big races. Freshman Ila Davis led theway with a 27th-place finish. Senior Brittany Aquino ran a team-best 22:55 at the BillRoe Classic two weeks ago, leading the Vikings to fifth place.Seattle Pacific will try to overcome injury issues for its third consecutive topthree finish. The Falcons are young but talented. Freshman Annika Esvelt won thefirst two of her first three collegiate races, running 22:15 over 6,000 meters at thePLU Invitational in September. Freshman Ellie Rising, the 2021 GNAC outdoor800-meter champion, has a pair of top-four finishes.Northwest Nazarene was the surprise of the region in 2019, emerging from asixth-place conference meet to place second at the NCAA West Regional. A highresult will be no surprise in 2021 as much of the Nighthawks’ lineup returns.Sophomore Julia LaMar placed 11th at the 2019 regionals and has a pair of topthree finishes this season, including the win at the EOU Invitational in September.Sophomore Kalen Belton also had a pair of top-three finishes and is well over aminute under her finish time from the 2019 Championships.This year’s surprise could very well be Alaska. The Nanooks have finished noworse than seventh in their four meets this season, regularly banking the majorityof their scoring runners in the top 10. Alaska placed fourth at the Bill Roe Classic,second among GNAC teams and winning a tiebreaker with Western Washington.Rosie Fordham leads the freshmen-heavy lineup with a quartet of top-four finishes. She led three top-10 finishers for the Nanooks at the Bill Roe Classic, a groupthat included fellow first-year performers Kendall Kramer and Naomi Bailey. Kramerwon the season-opening Blue/Gold Race in August and Bailey won the SeawolfThrowdown in September.Western Oregon features a pair of title contenders in junior transfers Luz Garciaand Caitlin Heldt. Garcia won her first two races for the Wolves before finishing11th at the Lewis Crossover. Heldt was solid in her three meets, which included asecond-place finish at the Ash Creek Collegiate.Saint Martin’s will look to freshmen Sara Sabra and Cassidy Walchak-Sloan fortop performances on the home course. Both runners have three top-10 finishes thisseason, with Sabra winning the PLU Open.Experienced junior Kailee Stoppel leads Montana State Billings. Her three top-sixfinishes include a second-place finish at the Gage McSpadden Memorial in September. Central Washington will be led by junior Kay Lester, who ran a team-best 24:08at the PLU Open.@GNACSports #GNACXC 3
2021 GNAC Cross Country Championships AlaskaAlaska AnchorageCentral he Nanooks enter today’s meet with the bestwomen’s team they have has fielded in a decade. Alaskashowed well against other GNAC teams at the BillRoe Classic, placing fourth overall and second amongconference teams competing and was third amongGNAC teams at the Mike Johnson Classic.Rosie Fordham leads the freshmen-laden team.Fordham has placed no worse than fourth in theNanooks’ four meets. Naomi Bailey opened the seasonwith a win at the Seawolf Throwdown and KendallKramer won the August Blue/Gold Race in Fairbanks.The Alaska men are led by junior ZephanOzturgut, who earned a pair of top-10 finishes at theBlue/Gold Race and the Seawolf Throwdown.What Alaska Anchorage doesn’t have in numbersit makes up for in quality. On the men’s side, freshmanColeman Nash has won his first three collegiate races,which included a 15-second victory at the ChambersBay Collegiate Open. Junior Jacob Moos has threesecond-place finishes this season and an 8,000-meterbest of 25:16.1. Senior Felix Kemboi, the 2019 NCAAWest Regional champion, placed fifth at Chambers Bayand is poised for a breakthrough.Senior Nancy Jeptoo, a 2019 All-American, is backin top form with three top-five finishes, including thirdat Chambers Bay. Juniors Joan Kipsanai and AlfinNyamasyo provide solid postseason running experiencewhile freshman Sofija Spaic will provide depth neededfor a shot at the program’s 12th GNAC title.Central Washington has been the conference’sbusiest team, having run in six meets this season. TheWildcats were one of two teams to compete last weekend, running at the Inland Empire Championships.Senior Trevor Allen, a 2019 All-GNAC selection,paces an experienced men’s squad. His 2021 season ishighlighted by a 10th-place finish at the PLU Open.Senior Rajesh Gill has a pair of top-20 finishes and aseason-best of 25:42 over 8,000 meters.Junior Kay Lester, whose 17th-place time of 24:08at the PLU Open is the best for the team this season,leads the Wildcats’ women. Junior Madison Childhas posted solid times all season and opened the yearplacing 15th at the CWU Invitational. Junior CaitlinGohr adds veteran leadership in her third GNACChampionships.MenYr.Jack CaterFr.Joe DaviesFr.Nolan EarnestFr.Mike OphoffSo.Zephan OzturgutJr.Koen RossFr.HometownFairbanks, AlaskaPemberton, B.C.Fairbanks, AlaskaCista u Horek,Czech RepublicAnchorage, AlaskaCastle Rock, Wash.MenJesus AvalosJacob BelangerTitus KangogoFelix KemboiNickson KoechJacob MoosColeman NashRies TveitYr.Jr.Fr.So.Sr.Sr.Jr.Fr.Fr.HometownKing City, Calif.Anchorage, AlaskaEldoret, KenyaEldoret, KenyaKapsabet, KenyaGalena, AlaskaLittleton, Colo.Salt Lake City, UtahWomenNaomi BaileySarah BaumRya BerriganRosie FordhamKendall KramerDelainey ZockHometownFairbanks, AlaskaSummerfield, N.C.Palmer, AlaskaSydney, AustraliaFairbanks, AlaskaAnchorage, AlaskaWomenElena CanoArielle HimelbloomNancy JeptooJoan KipsanaiAlfin NyamasyoBailey RoeSofija SpaicYr.Sr.Jr.Sr.So.Jr.So.Fr.HometownAlpine, TexasKodiak, AlaskaEldoret, KenyaEldoret, KenyaMakueni, KenyaFairbanks, AlaskaPalmer, AlaskaMenTrevor AllenShawn CloughEspen DiamondRajesh GillGarrett HoughEthan LapicHenry MilodragovichMateo RiveraTy SavelySpencer SolvbergZack SundtDylan etownLake Stevens, Wash.Port Orchard, Wash.Everett, Wash.Federal Way, Wash.Dana Point, Calif.Monroe, Wash.Seattle, Wash.Everett, Wash.Mission Viejo, Calif.Marysville, Wash.Olympia, Wash.Roy, Wash.WomenMadison ChildTailer CochranCaitlin GohrJenna HeesackerKelli HeimRyan HyattKay LesterMeredith MasseyKatelynn StrateMadison amas, Wash.Arlington, Wash.Anchorage, AlaskaIssaquah, Wash.Pullman, Wash.Pullman, Wash.Royal City, Wash.Kennewick, Wash.Yelm, Wash.Ellensburg, Wash.Yr.Fr.Fr.Sr.Fr.Fr.Fr.Head Coach: Eliska AlbrigtsenAssistant: Josh SanderlinHead Coach: Ryan McWilliamsAssoc. Head Coach: Chas DavisAssistants: Ray Shadowens, Danielle PattersonHead Coach: Kevin AdkissonAssistants: Bryan Contreras, Brittany Aanstad4 GNACSports.com
2021 GNAC Cross Country ChampionshipsMontana State BillingsNorthwest NazareneSaint Martin’sYELLOWJACKETS BowmanFarrellLoweThe Yellowjackets enter the meet with two of theirbest teams in last seven years. Junior Ase Ackerman hasbeen named the GNAC Men’s Cross Country Athleteof the Week twice this season and was the winner ofthe Gage McSpadden Memorial Invite.Ackerman and senior Carson Jessop both ran under 26 minutes at the Yellowjacket/Battlin’ Bear Open,leading MSUB to a second-place finish. All six men hadpersonal bests, including sophomore Bryant Edgerton.The MSUB women have steadily improvedthroughout the season with junior Kailee Stoppelleading the way. She ran a lifetime best 18:50 over 5,000meters two weekends ago and took second at the GageMcSpadden.The Nighthawks’ women were the surprise of theGNAC in 2019, racing to a second-place finish at theNCAA West Regional to earn the team’s first-ever tripto the NCAA Championships.Much of that 2019 team returns. Sophomore JuliaLaMar, an All-West Region runner in 2019, has twotop-three finishes this season and ran a season-best23:26.7 at the Bill Roe Classic. Sophomore KalenBelton also has a pair of top-three finishes as a solidNo. 2 in the NNU lineup.Junior Tyler Shea leads the Northwest Nazarenemen. Shea won the Ken Garland Classic on this sameSMU course and has had two top-three finishes inthree meets. Freshman Dylan Tidwell has performedwell in his first season and led NNU with an 11th-placefinish at the Bill Roe Classic.The Saints’ young squads hope to make asolid showing as the program hosts the GNACChampionships for the first time since 2006.Sophomore Jack Farrell has set the pace for theSaint Martin’s men. He has three top-10 finishes tohis credit this season, led by a third-place finish at thePuget Sound Invitational. Freshman Kainalu Pagenteopened his collegiate career by winning the PugetSound Invitational and has three top-15 finishes.Freshman Sara Sabra also opened her career witha win at Puget Sound and has three top-10 finishes.Freshman Cassidy Walchak-Sloan is pacing alongsideSabra and placed 10th at the Chambers Bay CollegiateOpen.MenAse AckermanJackson BaileyBryant EdgertonCarson JessopJordi PeiroLogan StrausMenAaron BorgerTreyson ConleyQuincy EllisChandler EmersonJeff FairbanksNorman KosgeiTyler SheaDylan TidwellCade Van ton, Wyo.Redmond, Wash.Boise, IdahoEagle, IdahoMedford, Ore.Eldoret, KenyaSpokane, Wash.South Jordan, UtahEverson, Wash.WomenDaphne AuxierKalen BeltonSage EarnestChloe EdmistonKalyssa KempthornOlivia KleinIsabelle KronzJulia LaMarEmily McMahonAlyssa QuinnKayla TafoyaOlivia WilliamsonJordan WoodsSavannah HometownPayette, IdahoZillah, Wash.Nampa, IdahoNampa, IdahoLake Oswego, Ore.Meridian, IdahoNampa, IdahoEagle, IdahoPrescott, Ariz.Meridian, IdahoCaldwell, IdahoCaldwell, IdahoMeridian, IdahoVancouver, Wash.MenSteven BaltzIsaac CortesMiguel De LaMalenaJaskaran DhattJack FarrellMichael HarwellKainalu PagenteEsteban QuiyonoNoah RobertsLance SlichkoRudu WaniYr.Jr.Fr.So.Sr.Fr.Jr.WomenYr.Madisan ChavezJr.Sierra DurbinJr.Kylee HalpinFr.Maisie HoskinsSo.Izzy SiegleFr.Kailee StoppelJr.Skyler TaylorFr.Aspen TolmanFr.Ally WhitmerJr.Kit WiersemaFr.Kendra WoodsSo.Abbi ZentFr.HometownGlendive, Mont.Missoula, Mont.Townsend, Wash.Pinesdale, Mont.Apple Valley, Calif.Billings, Mont.HometownCrow Agency, Mont.Moore, Mont.Bozeman, Mont.Fareham,United KingdomGlendive, Mont.Billings, Mont.Aberdeen, Wash.Westminster, Colo.Pocatello, IdahoManhattan, Mont.Billings, Mont.Meridian, IdahoHead Coach: Jonathan WoehlAssistant: Kevin Puyallup, Wash.Granite Falls, Wash.Vancouver, Wash.Bellingham, Wash.Lacey, Wash.Freeland, Wash.Pearl City, HawaiiBothell, Wash.Ewa Beach, HawaiiPuyallup, Wash.Rudu WaniWomenYr.Peyton BodiFr.Abby BurtonSo.Naomi HartleySo.Kya RamirezFr.Sara SabraFr.Ali SaucedoFr.Cassidy Walchak-Sloan Fr.HometownMonroe, Ore.Medford, Ore.Puyallup, Wash.Yelm, Wash.Lincoln, Calif.Federal Way, Wash.Olympia, Wash.Interim Head Coach: Matt LoweAssistant: Emma HattonHead Coach: Danny BowmanAssociate Head Coach: Ben Gall@GNACSports #GNACXC 5
2021 GNAC Cross Country ChampionshipsSeattle PacificWestern OregonFALCONSWashenberger BoutinLerumSIMON FRASERWOLVESWillettGarciaDannattTownsendOne of the perennial powers on the women’s side,injury has limited Seattle Pacific’s success in 2021. Butthe Falcons are still poised to make some noise.Freshman Annika Esvelt scored top-three finishesin her first three meets, including wins at the PLUInvitational and Chambers Bay Collegiate Open.Freshman Ellie Rising, the 2021 GNAC outdoor800 champion, was top-four in three meets and hasa best of 22:45 entering today’s race. Junior KelseyWashenberger provides leadership having placed 19that the 2019 GNAC Championships.Senior Colin Boutin hopes to finish out his careeron a high note. He has three top-15 finishes this seasonand enters the meet with an 8,000-meter best of 26:15.A year away from competition did little to slowSimon Fraser down as both the men’s and women’steams expect to contend for conference titles.The SFU women have won all three of theirmeets this season, including a 41-point win at the BillRoe Classic, and are No. 9 in the latest USTFCCCADivision II Poll. Junior Olivia Willett has finishedno worse than second in those races and opened theseason by winning the San Francisco State Invitational.Senior Alison Andrews-Paul also has three top-10finishes on the year.The SFU men are No. 22 in the USTFCCCA poll.Junior Aaron Ahl has three top-three finishes and rana lifetime best 24:30 over 8,000 meters to win at SanFrancisco. Freshman Charlie Dannatt also posted alifetime best of 25:03 at SF State and has three top-10finishes.MenIsaiah ArcherColin BoutinGabe EndresenBrennan LeBlancRory McClellandJon OwenBen , Wash.Valrico, Fla.Mill Creek, Wash.Duvall, Wash.Issaquah, Wash.Valrico, Fla.Wilsonville, Ore.WomenJohanna BrownAnnika EsveltEllie RisingCharisma SmithElizabeth ThompsonKelsey WashenbergerNicki YorgesYr.Fr.Fr.Fr.Fr.Sr.Jr.Fr.HometownEnumclaw, Wash.Spokane, Wash.Goldendale, Wash.Fife, Wash.Portland, Ore.Bend, Ore.Eugene, Ore.MenYr.Aaron AhlSr.Braden AhlFr.Scott ArndtFr.Sebastian BrinkmanSo.Jose CastroFr.Tomas ChapmanSo.Charlie DannattFr.Aiden GoodFr.Ephrem MekonnenSo.Michael MillerFr.Henry Ruckman-Utting Fr.HometownCalgary, Alta.Calgary, Alta.Waterloo, Ont.Bellevue, Wash.Brampton, Ont.Vancouver, B.C.N. Vancouver, B.C.Carstairs, Alta.Burnaby, B.C.White Rock, B.C.Burnaby, B.C.WomenYr.Alison Andrews-Paul Sr.Kate CameronFr.Grace ChalkSo.Emily ChiltonJr.Milena KalischFr.Ella MarionFr.Claire NoortSr.Charlotte PrangleyFr.Megan RoxbyJr.Olivia WillettSr.HometownOhope Beach,New ZealandNanaimo, B.C.Langley, B.C.New Westminster, B.C.New Westminster, B.C.Calgary, Alta.New Westminster, B.C.N. Vancouver, B.C.N. Vancouver, B.C.Coquitlam, B.C.Head Coach: Karl LerumAssoc. Head Coach: Chris ReedAssistants: Kate Lilly, Allie OstranderHead Coach: Brit TownsendAssistant: Jessica Brockerville6 GNACSports.comDaosGillespie-BennettA quartet of junior transfers leads WesternOregon’s chances for success. Junior Luz Garcia wonher first two meets in a WOU uniform and then placed11th at the Lewis Crossover. Junior Caitlin Heldt wassecond at the Mike Johnson Classic and ran a best of22:37.6 for 6,000 meters at the Mike Johnson Classic.Junior Keanu Daos won September’s Ash CreekCollegiate and pushed against the talented field at theLewis Crossover. Junior Miguel Villar led the Wolveswith a 35th-place finish at the Lewis Crossover andfreshman Bailey Smith was close behind in 46th in25:51.4. Both times were season bests over 8,000meters.MenTalon AguilarKeanu DaosCedar Davis-FrankfortChase EckenfelsAero FranklinJordan KemperEmmett KlusJaden McCabeDustyn MckenneyBryce MeffordEaston PomrankeyTimothy RamboKeeton SanchezMatthew SchenkBailey SmithWyatt SmithMiguel .Jr.Fr.Jr.HometownMaple Valley, Wash.Kennewick, Wash.Grants Pass, Ore.Kailua, HawaiiBandon, Ore.Ashland, Ore.Burns, Ore.Bend, Ore.Clovis, Calif.Lake Stevens, Wash.Kettle Falls, Wash.Auburn, Wash.Buckeye, Ariz.Central Point, Ore.Cody, Wyo.Oakland, Ore.Madera, Calif.WomenJosie AckermanKaylin CantuKatie ChapmanLuz GarciaPeyton GreenCaitlin HeldtEmily JohnsonKaitlyn KruseLindie LarsonKaiya LeamyEmily MooreShannon wnSeattle, Wash.Mount Angel, Ore.Lowell, Ore.Los Angeles, Calif.Tigard, Ore.Savvanah, Ga.The Dalles, Ore.Troutdale, Ore.Redding, Calif.Corvallis, Ore.Bend, Ore.Bandon, Ore.Head Coach: Octavious Gillespie-BennettAssistant: Zach HollowayVolunteer Assistant: Emily Vala-Haynes
2021 GNAC Cross Country ChampionshipsPast ChampionsPAST MEN’S TEAM CHAMPIONSYearTeamWestern WashingtonVIKINGSDavisFranksHalsellWestern Washington is the defending men’s andwomen’s champions. Two years removed from the win,the Vikings’ men are particularly poised to compete fora title defense.The WWU men, ranked No. 21 in the USTFCCCA Division II Poll, made a statement with a closesecond-place finish at the Roy Griak Invitational.Junior Mac Franks leads the way. He has three top-10finishes to his credit this season and ran a lifetime bestof 25:50 over 8,000 meters at the Griak. FreshmenJeret Gillingham and Kevin McDermott have followedFranks closely all season.Senior Brittany Aquino leads a young WWUwomen’s team. She led the Vikings with a 16th-placefinish at the Bill Roe Classic. Freshman Ila Davis ran aseason-best of 23:11 at the Bill Roe Classic while sophomore Eugenia Palko opened the year placing fourth atthe CWU Invitational.MenEthan BurschMac FranksJeret GillinghamJalen JavurekBrock KnowlesKaleb KortaKevin McDermottNick McIverAlec RitterSean SandsAbbas TheophilusDrew wnShelton, Wash.Lake Forest Park, Wash.Sandy, Ore.Portland, Ore.Shelton, Wash.Galena, AlaskaPort Orchard, Wash.Snohomish, Wash.Enumclaw, Wash.Pine, Colo.Lynden, Wash.Vancouver, Wash.WomenBrittany AquinoSophia CollinsMia CrockerIla DavisShawnee KonradDelphine MaurerEugenia PalkoBrook WedinSophie e, Wash.Kirkland, Wash.Sammamish, Wash.Spokane, Wash.Spokane, Wash.San Diego, Calif.Port Orchard, Wash.Mora, Minn.Palmer, AlaskaHead Coach: Pee Wee HalsellAssistants: T.J. Garlatz, Paul 122013201420152016201720182019Northwest NazareneAlaska AnchorageWestern WashingtonSeattle PacificAlaska AnchorageWestern WashingtonWestern WashingtonAlaska AnchorageWestern WashingtonAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageWestern OregonAlaska AnchorageWestern WashingtonPAST MEN’S INDIVIDUAL cis Kimeli, NNUPaul Kezes, WWUDoug Hamilton, HSUTim LeCount, SPUCasey Moriarty, SUDavid Kiplagat, UAAJohn Riak, SMUMarko Cheseto, UAAMarko Cheseto, UAAMarko Cheseto, UAAMicah Chelimo, UAAMicah Chelimo, UAAIsaac Kangogo, UAAHenry Cheseto, UAAHenry Cheseto, UAAEdwin Kangogo, UAADavid Ribich, WOUWesley Kirui, UAAFelix Kemboi, 2.724:54.824:54.8224:3824:44RECENT PAST MEN’S NEWCOMERS OF 82019Yonatan Yilma, UAATyler Cannon, WWUClint Choquette, MSUBNathan Richards, WWUMichel Ramirez, UAAMatt Winter, MSUBDustin Nading, WOUJorge Sanchez, UAAWesley Kirui, UAAMarcus Rice, SMURECENT PAST MEN’S FRESHMEN OF YEARYearAthlete2010Josh Elliott, WOU2011Dylan Anthony, UAA2012Robert Peterson, MSUB2013 Victor Samoei, UAA & Oliver Jorgensen, SFU2014Henry Cheseto, UAA2015Matt Winter, MSUB2016Dustin Nading, WOU2017Jorge Sanchez, UAA2018Wesley Kirui, UAA2019Marcus Rice, SMUPAST WOMEN’S TEAM t StateHumboldt StateSeattle PacificCentral WashingtonSeattle PacificSeattle PacificSeattle PacificSeattle PacificAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageSimon FraserAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageAlaska AnchorageWestern 953RECENT PAST WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL Ashlee Vincent, WWUAshlee VIncent, WWUJosie Lavin, SPUKaren Dickson, SPUPavla Havlova, UAFJessica Pixler, SPUJessica Pixler, SPUJessica Pixler, SPUJessica Pixler, SPUSarah Porter, WWURuth Keino, UAASusan Tanui, UAASusan Tanui, UAAKatelyn Steen, WWUJoyce Chelimo, UAACaroline Kurgat, UAACaroline Kurgat, UAAEmmah Chelimo, UAAEmmah Chelimo, 921:17.120:49.4221:25.121:31.9RECENT PAST WOMEN’S NEWCOMERS OF 82019Whitnet Mickelsen, MSUBHeidi Labbs-Johnson, SPUKatie Thralls, SPUJoyce Kipchumba, UAAAmy Johnson, UAAKaren Horvath, SMUShannon Porter, SMUEmmah Chelimo, UAANancy Jeptoo, UAAOlivia Jimenez, WOURECENT PAST WOMEN’S FRESHMEN OF 82019Raphaela Sieber, UAFBryn Haebe, UAASarah Firestone, UAARebecca Bassett, SFUCaroline Kurgat, UAAKimberly Cosica, UAAJordyn Block, UAAOlivia Willett, SFUKaylee Mitchell, SPUJoan Kipsanai, UAA@GNACSports #GNACXC 7
Course MapMen’s 8k - 10 a.m.Start - RedLeft on Orange LoopRight on Blue TrailTwo Times On Green LoopRight On Blue TrailStraight To Orange LoopLeft to Finish - Yellow''Women’s 6k - 11 a.m.Start - RedLeft on Orange LoopRight on Blue TrailOne Time On Green LoopRight On Blue Tra
Wolves with a 35th-place finish at the Lewis Crossover. Seattle Pacific will be led by senior Colin Boutin, who has three top-15 finishes this season and a best of 26:15 over 6,000 meters. Alaska is led by senior Zephan Ozturgut. WOMEN The timing may never be better for Simon Fraser to win i
