BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Behind individual titles from All-Americans Henry Cheseto and Joyce Chelimo, the nationally ranked Alaska Anchorage men’s and women’s cross country teams each took home GNAC Championship titles, Saturday morning at Lake Padden Park.
The nationally No. 5-ranked men captured their sixth straight title and tenth conference title overall (9 GNAC titles, 1 Pac-West title). Six consecutive titles improves upon the GNAC record of five consecutive titles set by the UAA women (2009-2013).
UAA handled two other nationally ranked foes with the third lowest score in GNAC Championship history. The team’s 21 points bettered No. 12 Simon Fraser (54 pts) and No. 21 Western Washington (83 pts).
Individually, the Seawolf men went 1-2-3 and grabbed five All-Conference honors. Sophomore Henry Cheseto repeated as GNAC champion and GNAC Athlete of the Year, covering the 8K course in 24:22.7. Dominik Notz, a native of Dettingen, Germany, finished runner-up for the second straight year to Cheseto, in a time of 24:27.3.
Edwin Kangogo rounded out the top 3 in 24:44.10. All-Conference honors were also earned by Victor Samoei (6th, 25:19.6) and Nathan Kipchumba (9th, 25:29.3). Michael Mendenhall completed the scoring (17th, 25:53.3) for the Green and Gold.
In the women’s race, the team captured their sixth conference crown, which have all come in the last seven seasons. The No. 7 Seawolves finished with 39 points, ahead of No. 12 Western Washington (71 pts) and third-place Central Washington (95 pts).
Five runners placed in the top 15 for Alaska Anchorage. Junior Joyce Chelimo earned GNAC Athlete of the Year accolades, pacing the field with a 6K-winning time of 21:00.9. Sophomore Caroline Kurgat finished closely behind in 21:08.8, improving on her 11th-place performance in 2014.
Freshman Kimberly Coscia of Torrance, Calfornia finished in the top 10 (9th, 22:16.3) and garnered GNAC Freshman of the Year honors. Rounding out the team’s scoring were Zennah Jepchumba (12th, 22:39.1) – who competed in her first race of the season – and Beatrice Decker (15th, 22:42.3).
The Seawolves will return on Nov. 7 for the NCAA West Regional Championships in Monmouth, Ore. Chico State will look to challenge both teams for the Regional title.
Complete results at http://www.gnacsports.com/media/Stats/xc/2015/xc_2015_gnac_championship_102415.htm
