WSU cross country runs strong in Colorado

Evan Baron Evergreen Cross Country reporter

The WSU cross country team traveled to Louisville, Colo. over the weekend to compete in the Pac-12 Championships.

The WSU men finished in sixth place overall at the championships led by senior Andrew Gonzales, who finished in 15th place.

“The goal for today’s race was top 15,” Gonzales said. “I felt great running with some of the best runners in the country. I got into my rhythm quickly and was able to finish very well. The guys performed great today, and I was proud on how we ran as a team.”

Gonzales ran a time of 25 minutes and 33 seconds in the 8,000-meter race. Junior Todd Wakefield was the second Cougar men’s runner to place. Wakefield finished in 19th place and ran a time of 25 minutes and 50 seconds.

“Today was a very good day for the Cougs,” WSU cross country Coach Tim Riley said. “On the men’s side we finally put together a solid team effort at the right time.”

The Cougars finished with 151 points and Colorado won the overall race with 28 points, according to wsucougars.com. This is the third straight year Colorado won the Pac-12 Championships for cross country.

The WSU women’s team finished in 10th place overall. In the 6,000-meter race senior Ruby Roberts led the way for the Cougars and finished in 15th place with a time of 22 minutes and 9 seconds.

“Given the competition, altitude and pressure of performing in the most competitive conference in Division-1 cross country,” Roberts said, “I was proud of how our women’s team competed and stayed poised throughout the race.”

Junior Abby Regan was the second Cougar woman to finish the race and ran a time of 23 minutes and 22 seconds, resulting in a finish of 50th place.

“Ruby Roberts had a great day finishing 15th,” Riley said. “I was happy with the effort the Cougar women had today, but was disappointed on their execution of the race plan. To have an off day and beat an Oregon State team that beats us handily earlier in the year is another step in the right direction for this young women’s squad.”

The overall winner for the Cougar women was Arizona with 69 points, and WSU finished with 260 points, according to wsucougars.com.

The WSU cross country team will race next Nov. 15 in Sacramento, Calif. for the NCAA West Regional Championships.