CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | WCC CROSS COUNTRY ALMANAC
2018 West Coast Conference Cross Country Championships
Saturday, October 27, 2018
East Bay Golf Course | Provo, Utah
RACE SCHEDULE (all times Pacific)**
9:30 a.m. - Women's 6K race
10:30 a.m. - Men's 8K race
11:30 a.m. - Awards Ceremony
**Please note: races pushed back an hour from original start times on Friday, due to anticipated morning frost. Race times are 10:30 (W)/11:30 (M) Mountain Time (MT).
WCC CROSS COUNTRY BY THE NUMBERS
|
2
|
Number of races won by BYU’s Erica Birk-Jarvis
|
|
2
|
Number of races won by Gonzaga freshman James Mwaura
|
|
2
|
Top-five USTFCCCA-ranked men’s teams entering the WCC Championship for the second consecutive year
|
|
3
|
Teams entering this year’s race with a top-ten national ranking (BYU men, 2 / BYU women, 9 / Portland men, 5)
|
|
3
|
Number of event sweeps for BYU
|
|
7
|
Number of WCC men’s teams with either a regional or national USTFCCCA ranking entering the race
|
|
18
|
Number of individual wins for WCC teams this season (BYU 7, Gonzaga 4, Portland 4, Pacific 1, San Diego 1, Loyola Marymount 1)
|
|
20
|
Number of team wins for WCC teams this season (BYU 7, Gonzaga 4, Portland 4, San Diego 1)
|
|
23:24.4
|
Portland senior and USTFCCCA Preseason All-American Nick Hauger’s time at this year’s Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational, the fastest men’s individual time at the event in WCC history
|
|
26
|
National ranking for Gonzaga men, their first ranking in program history
|
WCC RUNNERS OF THE WEEK
WCC TEAM WINS
|
DATE
|
SCHOOL
|
M/W
|
EVENT
|
TOP FINISHER
|
|
Aug. 31
|
Gonzaga
|
Men
|
Clash of the Inland Northwest
|
1. James Mwuara - 17:04.8
|
|
Sept. 1
|
Portland
|
Men
|
Portland State Rust Buster
|
1. Said Guermali - 18:56.8
|
|
Sept. 6
|
Portland
|
Women
|
Oregon Preview
|
3. Susan Van Weperen - 17:11.0
|
|
Sept. 14
|
Gonzaga
|
Men
|
Cougar Classic
|
1. James Mwaura - 23:54.9
|
|
Sept. 15
|
BYU
|
Men
|
BYU Autumn Classic
|
1. Clayson Shumway - 20:56.2
|
|
BYU
|
Women
|
BYU Autumn Classic
|
1. Erica Birk-Jarvis - 17:00.9
|
|
San Diego
|
Women
|
USD Invite
|
1. Hannah Rasmussen - 21:58.3
|
|
Sept. 21
|
Portland
|
Men
|
Dellinger Invite
|
1. Reuben Kiprono - 24:39.5
|
|
Sept. 28
|
Gonzaga
|
Men
|
Montana Invitational
|
1. Kyle Thompson - 25:11.7
|
|
BYU
|
Men
|
Notre Dame Joe Piane Invite
|
1. Connor McMillan - 23:43.3
|
|
BYU
|
Women
|
Notre Dame Joe Piane Invite
|
1. Erica Birk-Jarvis - 16:19.6
|
|
Oct. 5
|
BYU
|
Men
|
Steve T. Reeder Invitational
|
1. Clayton Young - 21:04.6
|
|
BYU
|
Women
|
Steve T. Reeder Invitational
|
1. Kate Hunter - 18:10.2
|
|
Oct. 13
|
Gonzaga
|
Men
|
Inland Empire Classic
|
4. Stefan Bradley - 24:32
|
|
BYU
|
Men
|
Pre-National Invite
|
1. Rory Linkletter - 23:54.4
|
|
Portland
|
Men
|
Warner Pacific XC Classic
|
2. Evert Silva - 24:15.7
|
|
Portland
|
Women
|
Warner Pacific XC Classic
|
1. Lacey Conner - 17:46.8
|
|
Oct. 19
|
Portland
|
Women
|
Beaver Classic
|
1. Sophia Noto - 22:18.7
|
|
Gonzaga
|
Women
|
Sasquatch Invite
|
2. Aimee Piercy - 18:57.8
|
|
Gonzaga
|
Men
|
Sasquatch Invite
|
1. Jake Perrin - 25:17.3
|
WCC INDIVIDUAL WINNERS
|
DATE
|
SCHOOL
|
RUNNER
|
TIME
|
EVENT
|
|
Aug. 31
|
Gonzaga
|
James Mwaura
|
17:04.8
|
Clash of the Inland Northwest
|
|
Sept. 1
|
Portland
|
Said Guermali
|
18.56.8
|
Portland State Rust Buster
|
|
Pacific
|
Jasmine Gonzalez
|
19:03
|
Big Wave Invitational
|
|
Sept. 14
|
Gonzaga
|
James Mwaura
|
23:54.9
|
Cougar Classic
|
|
Sept. 15
|
BYU
|
Clayson Shumway
|
20:56.2
|
BYU Autumn Classic
|
|
BYU
|
Erica Birk-Jarvis
|
17:00.9
|
BYU Autumn Classic
|
|
San Diego
|
Hannah Rasmussen
|
21:58.3
|
USD Invite
|
|
Sept. 21
|
Portland
|
Reuben Kiprono
|
24:39.5
|
Dellinger Invite
|
|
Sept. 28
|
Gonzaga
|
Kyle Thompson
|
25:11.7
|
Montana Invitational
|
|
BYU
|
Erica Birk-Jarvis
|
16.19.6
|
Notre Dame Joe Piane Invite
|
|
BYU
|
Connor McMillan
|
23:43.3
|
Notre Dame Joe Piane Invite
|
|
Oct. 5
|
BYU
|
Clayton Young
|
21:04.6
|
Steve T. Reeder Memorial
|
|
BYU
|
Kate Hunter
|
18:10.2
|
Steve T. Reeder Memorial
|
|
Oct. 13
|
Loyola Marymount
|
Koby Pederson
|
23:57.1
|
Bronco Invitational
|
|
BYU
|
Rory Linkletter
|
23:54.4
|
Pre-National Invite
|
|
Portland
|
Lacey Conner
|
17:46.8
|
Warner Pacific XC Classic
|
|
Oct. 19
|
Gonzaga
|
Jake Perrin
|
25:17.3
|
Sasquatch Invite
|
|
Oct. 20
|
Portland
|
Sophia Noto
|
22:18.7
|
Beaver Classic
|
BROADCAST INFORMATION - TheW.tv
For the seventh consecutive year, the 2018 West Coast Conference Cross Country Championships will be broadcast live and commercial-free on TheW.tv. George Devine and Josh Muxen (analyst) will provide the commentary for both races.
WCC IN THE NATIONAL POLLS | MEN | WOMEN
On the men's side, defending champion BYU enters the race at No. 2 for the second consecutive year. The Cougars, who are seeking their fourth consecutive WCC crown, earned 328 points in the latest USTFCCCA Poll (seven out of first place) and two first-place votes. Portland checks in at No. 5, while Gonzaga has its first national ranking in program history at No. 26.
BYU and Portland have not relinquished their top-five placings all season long, with the Cougars holding down the No. 2 slot all season long and the Pilots reaching as high as third.
For the women, No. 9 BYU leads the charge while the Portland women check in at No. 19. The Cougars have made a remarkable leap in the standings this year, opening up the season at No. 16 before three consecutive first-place team finishes and a fourth-place showing at Pre-Nationals vaulted them into the top ten.
All told, three WCC programs enter the WCC Championship race with a top-ten national ranking.
2017 WCC CHAMPIONSHIP
MEN RECAP | RESULTS
WOMEN RECAP | RESULTS
WCC TAKES ON NATIONALS | RECAP
San Francisco women, Portland men and BYU men reached the podium at NCAA National Championships in Louisville last season. The Dons and Pilots registered runner-up showings while the Cougars took third.
The Pilots’ 127 points were a program-best in their 18th overall nationals appearance and second podium finish in four years. BYU’s third-place finish was their best at nationals since finishing third in 1993. They also finished fourth in 2011 and 2014 as WCC members.
San Francisco posted the highest finish and highest national ranking (No. 3) in program history in 2017. BYU women placed 11th in their third straight national championship appearance.
WCC WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
This will be the 34th women's race. No. 9 BYU, who has registered top-five finishes in all four of its races (including three wins), enters as the favorite behind No. 19 Portland. Four teams have won championships in the last five races: Portland (2016), Gonzaga (2015), BYU (2014) and San Francisco (2013, 17).
WCC MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
This will be the 44th men's race, and the second straight year two teams enter the race in the top-five of the USTFCCCA national poll - No. 2 BYU and No. 5 Portland. The Pilots and Cougars have combined to win the last 39 WCC Championships, highlighted by an unprecedented 32 consecutive by Portland (1979-2010). The two powerhouses figure to battle it out once again in a field laden with talent. No. 26 Gonzaga coupled with a stacked resume of regionally ranked squads - Santa Clara (11), San Francisco (12), Pepperdine (14) and Loyola Marymount (15) - makes that seven of the nine WCC men’s teams with either a regional or national ranking entering the race.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION -
Student-athletes, fans, friends and family are encouraged to participate in the 2018 West Coast Conference Cross Country Championships by using the #WCCchamps hashtag.
WOMEN'S TEAM TITLE COUNT
Portland: 20 (2016)
San Francisco: 6 (2017)
Gonzaga: 2 (2015)
USIU: 2 (1986)
BYU: 1 (2014)
Santa Clara: 1 (2001)
Saint Mary's: 1 (1990)
LAST 10 WOMEN'S TEAM/INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS
|
YEAR
|
TEAM
|
POINTS
|
INDIVIDUAL (SCHOOL)
|
TIME
|
|
2017
|
USF
|
20
|
Charlotte Taylor, Sr. (USF)
|
19:11*
|
|
2016
|
POR
|
42
|
Lauren LaRocco, Jr. (POR)
|
20:27
|
|
2015
|
GON
|
59
|
Shelby Mills, Sr. (GON)
|
20:55
|
|
2014
|
BYU
|
36
|
Tansey Lystad, Sr. (POR)
|
19:39
|
|
2013
|
USF
|
39
|
Bridget Dahlberg, Gr. (USF)
|
20:55
|
|
2012
|
USF
|
25
|
Eva Krchova, Jr. (USF)
|
20:31
|
|
2011
|
USF
|
32
|
Tara Erdmann, Sr. (LMU)
|
20:01
|
|
2010
|
USF
|
38
|
Tara Erdmann, Jr. (LMU)
|
20:21
|
|
2009
|
USF
|
45
|
Stephanie Wilson (SCU)
|
20:32
|
|
2008
|
POR
|
43
|
Tara Erdmann, So. (LMU)
|
21:54
|
*WCC 6k Championship record
WOMEN'S CONFERENCE ROUNDUP
No. 9 BYU
Current National/Regional Ranking
18th / 3rd Mountain Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Pre-Nationals Invitational / 4th (175) / 4. Erica Birk-Jarvis (20:12.2)
GONZAGA
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / N/A
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Sasquatch Invitational / 1st (20) / 2. Aimee Piercy (18.57.8)
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / N/A
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Titan Invitational / 6th (190) / 25. Danielle Rowlinson (18:59.8)
PACIFIC
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / N/A
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Bronco Invitational / 18th (Open) / 33. Jasmine Gonzalez (21:12.7) (Invite)
PEPPERDINE
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / N/A
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Bronco Invitational / 21st (556) / 57. Abbey Meck (21:36.9)
No. 19 PORTLAND
Current National/Regional Ranking
19th / 5th West Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Pre-Nationals Invitational / 6th (242) / 7. Lauren LaRocco (20:19.7)
SAINT MARY'S
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / N/A
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Bronco Invitational / 16h (407) / 50. Abby Bolt (21:27.2)
SAN DIEGO
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / N/A
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
UCR Highlander Invitational / 3rd (99) / 4. Hannah Rasmussen (17:08.7)
SAN FRANCISCO
Current National/Regional Ranking
4th / 2nd West Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Pre-Nationals Invitational / 19th (499) / 53. Tatjana Schulte (21:16.4)
SANTA CLARA
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / N/A
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Bronco Invitational / 15th (389) / 58. Emma McCurry (21:36.9)
MEN'S TEAM TITLE COUNT
Portland: 34 (2014)
BYU: 5 (2017)
Nevada: 4 (1978)*
LAST 10 MEN'S TEAM/INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS
|
YEAR
|
TEAM
|
POINTS
|
INDIVIDUAL (SCHOOL)
|
TIME
|
|
2017
|
BYU
|
15
|
Connor McMillan, Jr. (BYU)
|
23:23
|
|
2016
|
BYU
|
24
|
Alex Short, Sr. (USF)
|
24:40
|
|
2015
|
BYU
|
17
|
Aaron Fletcher, Sr. (BYU)
|
24:40
|
|
2014
|
POR
|
28
|
David Perry, Sr. (POR)
|
23:26
|
|
2013
|
BYU
|
30
|
Jason Witt, Sr. (BYU)
|
23:14
|
|
2012
|
POR
|
32
|
Jared Ward, Jr. (BYU)
|
23:41
|
|
2011
|
BYU
|
25
|
Miles Batty, Sr. (BYU)
|
23:47
|
|
2010
|
POR
|
36
|
Craig Hopkins, Gr. (GON)
|
25:01
|
|
2009
|
POR
|
34
|
Alfred Kipchumba, So. (POR)
|
24:20
|
|
2008
|
POR
|
38
|
David Kinsella, Sr. (POR)
|
25:11
|
MEN'S CONFERENCE ROUNDUP
No. 2 BYU
Current National/Regional Ranking
2nd / 2nd Mountain Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Pre-Nationals Invitational / 1st (29) / 1. Rory Linkletter (23:54.4)
No. 26 GONZAGA
Current National/Regional Ranking
26th / 7th West Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Pre-Nationals Invitational / 9th (307) / 40. James Mwaura (24:34.3)
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / 15th West Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Titan Invitational / 4th (120) / 19. Alex Sasser (25:42.0)
PEPPERDINE
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / 14th West Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Bronco Invitational / 3rd (116) / 8. Nick Heath (24:03.9)
No. 5 PORTLAND
Current National/Regional Ranking
5th / 1st West Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational / 9th (322) / 22. Michael Somers (24:12.6)
SAINT MARY'S
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / N/A
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Bronco Invitational / 13th (331) / 11. Nolan Dozier ((24:11.3)
SAN DIEGO
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / N/A
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
UCR Highlander Invitational / 12th (316) / 34. Nicholas Dinsdale (25:26.54)
SAN FRANCISCO
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / 12th West Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Pre-Nationals Invitational / 17th (452) / 3. Chris Olley (23:54.9)
SANTA CLARA
Current National/Regional Ranking
N/A / 11th West Region
Last Race/Team Finish/Top Individual
Bronco Invitational / 2nd (96) / 4. Zach Litoff (23:58.6)