Unofficially, Gonzaga Men’s Cross Country Misses Out on Nationals by One Spot

[former1dog]

It will be announced at 2 pm PST, but those in the know expect that when the 13 at large births are announced for the NCAA national cross country championships, that Gonzaga Men’s team will be team number 14

Despite this slightly heartbreaking position, Gonzaga Men’s team had their best performance ever at the West Regional Championship yesterday placing 6th as a team. Even better, top GU runner James Mwaura contended for the win down the stretch, ultimately taking 3rd. Joining him on the all regionals team was Peter Hogan! All our top 5 runners placed in the top 50 finishers, just a fantastic result.

Here’s a story from GoZags

https://gozags.com/news/2019/11/15/cross-country-mwaura-places-third-at-regionals-qualifies-for-nationals.aspx

In related news, Gonzaga signed top local talent Will Smith to next years team. Will will graduate from Spokane high school LC next spring. Will was 4A state cross the champion last week and will contend for state championships in the spring in the 1600 and 3200 meter races.

Most of this years Gonzaga team will be returning next year and Will Smith should improve our chances of making it to nationals next year!

[former1dog]

So, officially Gonzaga’s James Mwaura becomes the second Men’s athlete ever from Gonzaga to qualify for the NCAA championships, coming up on Saturday. I think he has an excellent chance to place high and be Gonzaga’s first ever All American in Cross Country. Senior Peter Hogan joins Mwaura on the All Western Region team, the third athlete ever on the men’s side with that honor. Hogan missed out on a trip to Nationals by a very slight margin.

On the team side of things Gonzaga is team 32 in the 31 team nationals field. Obviously missed out on a trip to Nationals by one spot only.

Gonzaga is in good shape for next season. Although they lose two seniors off of this years team they should have Yacine Guermeli back next season. Yacine is a very talented sophomore who when fully healthy may even challenge James Mwaura for the top spot on the team. Also, as noted new recruit Will Smith joins the team next year and there are a half dozen or so talented individuals vying for spots on our top seven. Exciting times for Gonzaga Cross Country!!

[jazzdelmar]

Dog. Refresh my Van Cortlandt Park memory, all American is top 15? Loved watching the NCAAs, IC4As and Heps on that hallowed ground in Da Bronx.

So, officially Gonzaga’s James Mwaura becomes the second Men’s athlete ever from Gonzaga to qualify for the NCAA championships, coming up on Saturday. I think he has an excellent chance to place high and be Gonzaga’s first ever All American in Cross Country. Senior Peter Hogan joins Mwaura on the All Western Region team, the third athlete ever on the men’s side with that honor. Hogan missed out on a trip to Nationals by a very slight margin.

On the team side of things Gonzaga is team 32 in the 31 team nationals field. Obviously missed out on a trip to Nationals by one spot only.

Gonzaga is in good shape for next season. Although they lose two seniors off of this years team they should have Yacine Guermeli back next season. Yacine is a very talented sophomore who when fully healthy may even challenge James Mwaura for the top spot on the team. Also, as noted new recruit Will Smith joins the team next year and there are a half dozen or so talented individuals vying for spots on our top seven. Exciting times for Gonzaga Cross Country!!

[former1dog]

Dog. Refresh my Van Cortlandt Park memory, all American is top 15? Loved watching the NCAAs, IC4As and Heps on that hallowed ground in Da Bronx.

http://www.ustfccca.org/ustfccca-awards/ustfccca-all-americans/division-i-all-americans

Top 40 since 2008. I would agree that perhaps that is a bit of a lax requirement, but it is what it is. For the record, I think James could place top 15. We’ll see on Saturday.

[RenoZag]

BYU men win their first NCAA championship, BYU women 2nd.

https://wccsports.com/news/2019/11/23/byu-mens-cross-country-wins-first-national-championship-in-program-history.aspx

[ZagsObserver]

BYU men win their first NCAA championship, BYU women 2nd.

https://wccsports.com/news/2019/11/2...m-history.aspx

Fantastic result for XC. XC was largely neglected (along with tennis) for so many years (financially and otherwise). The train is moving, and it’s moving fast under Tyson. It will be exciting to watch GU Duke it out with BYU and Portland in the coming years.

Unlike in basketball, Portland and BYU are practically blue bloods in the sport.