Cross Country | 11/5/2011 12:43:00 PM

[Team results] [Individual results]

SPOKANE, Wash. - Achieving a goal set forth months before takes dedication, commitment and hours of practice. The Western Oregon men's team was able to complete their year-long goal of returning to the NCAA National Championships by claiming third place at the NCAA West Regional on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The Wolves, who were led by a fifth place finish from junior Connor Kasler, collected 126 team points to narrowly edge rival and fellow Great Northwest Athletic Conference member Western Washington 126-128 for their best finish ever in the National qualifying event.

Kasler's fifth place finish was the best ever for a Western Oregon student-athlete. He completed the 10k Plantes Ferry Sports Complex course in 30:58 to earn All-West Region honors. He was joined on the All-Region team by senior Dan Sprinkle, who finished the meet in 18th place with a time of 31:45.

Ryan Chapman narrowly missed the All-West Region team as he placed 26th with a time of 32:04 (top 25 make all-region teams). Lukas Fenley (36th) and Kyle Larson (41st) rounded out the scoring for the Wolves and sent them back to Nationals.

"The reason we are going back (to Nationals) is cause of unfinished business," said Western Oregon head coach Mike Johnson. "We were a good team last year but we didn't perform to our own expectations at Nationals.

"This year our training throughout the season focused on the National meet," Johnson continued. "This team is racing not just to get (to Nationals) but to perform once they get there. Each time you achieve something like this it motivates you to achieve again and strive for something more."

Kasler and Sprinkle became the first Wolves teammate to earn NCAA All-West Region honors in the same season in the history of Western Oregon University. It was also the third straight year a Western Oregon student-athlete has earned all-region honors.

"The foundation for this success was laid last year and this summer," Johnson explained. "You can't have distractions and be affective in this sport."

The women's team came in 14th in their field. Senior Amanda Wright led the way with a 50th place finish on the 6k course (23:04) to close out her collegiate career. She was followed close by Janelle Everetts, who placed 52nd with a time of 23:08. Megan Everetts (95th; 24:11), Nicole Anderson (98th; 24:16) and KayAnna Cecchi (122nd; 24:46) rounded out the women's scoring.

"The results were just not up to our usual standards," commented Johnson, "but what impressed me is that the women made the decision to get back out to practice on Monday morning to begin training for next season."

The men's team will also continue training as they prepare for NCAA Nationals in Spokane on Nov. 19th.