Cross Country GNAC

Cross Country Brian Kortz

Crosswhite and Knapp Earn All-GNAC Honors at GNAC Championships; Jimenez Named Newcomer of the Year

BILLINGS, Mont. -- The elements didn't slow down Justin Crosswhite and Grace Knapp as the seniors put together a race to remember in their last conference championships with Crosswhite finishing runner-up and Knapp fifth at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships Saturday at a snowy Billings. Sophomore Olivia Jimenez also added an honor as she was named the Newcomer of the Year.

"The snowy conditions today were a lot of fun. The important part of the race was establishing a rhythm early. It was a great opportunity to tune-up before we race at home for the regional meet," Crosswhite said.

With low temperatures and snow throughout both races, Crosswhite nearly claimed the individual title before coming in second in the 8k, while Knapp kept pace with the top-three before coming in fifth in the 6k. 

"I'm really proud of all the girls on the team. Everyone did really well and toughed it out through the snow and wind better than anyone could have expected. I think it showed us that we have a lot of grit, and we're going to bring that competitiveness to the regional meet," Knapp said.

Overall as a team, WOU placed sixth in both the women's and men's races with the women compiling 153 points and the men 121. Western Washington won both team races, taking the women's title by seven points and the men's by 38 points. 

Crosswhite ran to a pace of 24:54.10 to finish second. Alaska Anchorage's Felix Kemboi took the individual title.
Hunter Mosman and Sawyer Heckard added strong results as the seniors nearly finished with the same time with Mosman coming in 22nd with a time of 26:07.00 and Heckard just a few seconds back with a time of 26:17.70 to cross in 25th. Junior Andy Muha nearly gave WOU four in the top-30 when he crossed in 31st with a time of 26:32.20. Senior Zach Kanelis was the next one across for the Wolves when he came in 42nd (41st in scoring) with a time of 26:46.70. Freshman Emmett Klus posted a time of 27:04.90 to place 54th (49th in scoring). Junior Curt Knott and sophomore Adam Alnazer finished back-to-back with Knott in 77th (66th in scoring) and Alnazer in 78th as Knott crossed with a time of 28:33.80 and Alnzaer with a time of 28:34.50. Rounding out the runners for WOU was freshman Bryce Mefford as he posted a time of 29:33.10 to come in 81st. 

"We all worked hard today regardless of the conditions. Everyone is racing in the same environment, it just comes down to who wants it more. The hay is in the barn. The focus now is trusting our fitness and coaching the next two week for regionals. Go Wolves!!" Mosman said.

On the women's side, Knapp cruised to a time of 22:04.30 to come in fifth. Alaska Anchorage's Emmanuelah Chelimo took the individual title. Jimenez took home her Newcomer of the Year honor after coming in 23rd with a time of 23:17.60. Sophomore Kaylin Cantu was the next one in for the Wolves when she came in 34th with a time of 23:41.20. Senior Cassie McKinney grabbed a time of 24:00.00 to place her in 40th overall (39th in scoring). Sophomore Faerynn Glasscock crossed in 56th overall (52nd in scoring) with a time of 25:19.60. Senior Rachel Bayly crossed with a time of 25:51.80 to place 66th overall (60th in scoring). Rounding out the runners for WOU was senior Danel Camacho who came in with a time of 26:09.90 to come in 69th overall (63rd in scoring).

"The race conditions weren't ideal since we don't have much experience running in snow. As a team we made the most out of it. Throughout the race I focused on staying positive and finding good footing. Getting Newcomer of the Year is a big blessing and I wouldn't of been able to get the award without the help of my coaches and teammates who push me to be better daily," Jimenez said.

WOU will now prepare for the NCAA Division II West Regional that will take place Nov. 9 on the campus of Western Oregon University at the Ash Creek Preserve.
 
 
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