Cross Country | 12/28/2013 10:33:00 AM

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon University women's and men's cross country programs finished their 2013 seasons with new feats and records.

Western Oregon opened its seasons with individual titles at the Ash Creek Preserve Invitational on its home course at WOU. Annie Wade was the first woman to cross the finish line, and Brady Beagley placed first in the men's race.

Wade led the women to the team title as she captured her first individual crown, completing the 4.2K time-trial in a time of 15:22.00. Stephanie Stuckey was right behind, finishing second overall with a time of 15:56. On the men's side, Beagley captured the season-opening individual crown by finishing the 5.9K course in a time of 18:35. The WOU men came in second as a team.

The Wolves then sent split squads to the Oak Knoll Invitational and the Erik Anderson Invitational/NCAA Preview. In Salem, Bailey Beeson led a strong women's effort as she finished in 18th-place at the Oak Knoll meet with a time of 19:01.90 over the 5000-meter course. Beeson edged Jenny Leaf at the finish line at Oak Knoll as Leaf completed the course in a time of 19:06.35. Josh Hannah was the first WOU men's runner to cross the line at Oak Knoll, finishing in 36th-place with a time of 27:33.82.

At the Erik Anderson meet in Spokane, Wash., Beagley led the WOU men's team as he finished the course in a time of 26:44.70. Zach Holloway was the next WOU runner to cross the line, finishing in a time of 27:09.64. On the women's side, Wade ran an outstanding race, finishing in 30th with a time of 22:55.06.

After a week off, the Wolves ran in the Charles Bowles Invitational in Salem. The men placed second, while the women were fifth. Beagley led the men as he finished in third-place with a time of 24:36.30 over the 8000-meter course. In the women's 5000-meter race, Wade was one of four WOU runners to finish in the top-35 as her time of 18:15.27 was good for a 10th-place finish. Holly Meler was the next WOU runner to cross the line as she finished in 17th, clocking a time of 18:40.73.

The Western Oregon women and men both claimed team titles at the Pacific Lutheran Invitational. The Wolves' women placed three of its runners in the top five, and six in the top 10. Wade took the individual title with a time of 22:28.32. She was named the Red Lion Great Northwest Athletic Conference Runner of the Week for her performance.

Stuckey followed closely behind in second at 22:49.95. Rachel Shelley (23:14.85) placed fourth. Beeson (23:37.09), Leaf (23:38.00), and Rachel Crawford (23:38.77) came in sixth, seventh, and eighth. The WOU men also placed three of its runners in the top five, led by Beagley's second place finish. The senior crossed the line at 26:11.89. Holloway and Houston Horner placed third and fourth.

After a two-week hiatus, the Western Oregon men climbed back into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Div. II West Region top 10. The Wolves were ranked 10th in the poll following the PLU Invitational. WOU opened the season ranked No. 9.

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships followed in Monmouth. Beagley finished fifth at the conference championships. The WOU men placed fourth as a team. The Wolves' women, led by a 13th place finish from Wade, came in sixth. Wade's time was 21:11.81. Beagley crossed the line at 25:06.76.

When the GNAC released its Academic All-Conference team, four WOU women's runners made the list, while Scott Larson was named Academic All-Conference for the second time. Leaf was a repeat honoree on the women's side. Nicole Anderson, Audrey Hellesto, and Stuckey made the list for the first time.

Wade then qualified for the NCAA Div. II National Championships with her ninth place finish at the NCAA Div. II West Regional Championships. Wade finished the 6,000-meter course at 22:33.9. The junior's finish was a program-high for Western Oregon at the Regional Championships. The WOU women placed eighth just behind Humboldt State. The Wolves totaled 261 points in the 26-team field.

On the men's side, the Wolves averaged a time of 33:46 on the 10k course. WOU placed 12th with 290 points. Beagley paced Western Oregon with a time of 32:53 in 28th place.

At the National Championships, Wade placed 77th. She was the lone qualifier from Western Oregon University this season. Wade crossed the finish line with a time of 22:25.4. Her finish is now the fastest and best placement in WOU women's program history at the NCAA National Championships. The Condon, Ore. native's time was her second fastest of the season on a 6,000-meter course.

Wade was named All-West Region by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the season.

Also after the season, the NCAA awarded the 2015 and 2017 NCAA Div. II Women's and Men's Cross Country West Regional Championships to the cities of Monmouth and Independence and Western Oregon University. The races will run on the Ash Creek Preserve Course on the WOU campus.