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Aug. 21, 2009

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - With virtually everyone back from cross country teams that placed 10th nationally last year in both the men's and women's competition, Western Washington University head coach Pee Wee Halsell says his squads are setting respective goals of top 10 finishes at nationals for 2009.

"I was excited last year, and I'm even more excited this season," said Halsell, who is beginning his 23rd season at Western. "The expectations are higher this fall, but we're definitely capable of meeting them."

"It's great to see the training and groundwork going into it on both sides."

The men, who were third at the West Regional, are led by three All-Americans, all juniors. Pacing that group is Bennett Grimes (Pocatello, ID/Century), who has received All-America honors two straight years, placing 41st at the NCAA Division II National Championships in 2008 and 43rd in 2009.

Rounding out that trio are Jordan Welling (Burlington/Burlington-Edison), who finished 29th at nationals and eighth at regionals, and Blake Medhaug (Bothell), who placed 36th at nationals.

A huge boost is the return of junior Anthony Tomsich (Fairbanks, AK/West Valley), who missed last season with an Achilles' tendon injury. He placed 20th at regionals in 2007, helped the Vikings place 11th nationally and win the second of two straight league titles.

Tomsich finished 11th in the 1,500 at outdoor track nationals last spring, and Welling was 12th in the 10,000. Welling also set school records in both the 5,000 (14:16.90) and 10,000 (30:02.33).

Three other returnees, all of whom went to nationals last year, are senior Sam Bedell (Reno, NV), sophomore Eric Brill (Kent/Kentwood) and sophomore Yonas Berhe (Seattle/Roosevelt).

Challenging for spots are senior Greg Kubitz (Kelso), a three-year letter winner; returning junior Will Cameron (Poulsbo/North Kitsap) and freshman Chip Jackson (Shoreline/Shorewood), who placed 15th at the Class 4A state meet.

"The men really want to bring home some hardware from nationals," Halsell said. Trophies go to the first four places.

Western's women, who were amazing last fall in their first NCAA II national appearance, are led by All-American junior Sarah Porter (Hockinson). Last year, she placed 13th at nationals, third at regionals and second in the GNAC meet to earn all-star honors at all three. Porter also earned All-American recognition in indoor and outdoor track during the 2008-09 academic year, setting six school records.

Expected to make another huge improvement this year is sophomore Lauren Breihof (Vancouver/Mountain View), who placed 53rd at nationals. She also competed at the national outdoor track meet last spring.

Six of the seven-person national travel contingent are back. Completing that group are senior Courtney Olsen (Bellingham/Squalicum), sophomore Phoebe Hartnett (San Diego, CA/Patrick Henry), senior Danielle Slaughter (Spokane/Shadle Park) and McKinley Williams (Federal Way/Todd Beamer).

The only national team member not returning is junior Rachael Johnson (Yakima/West Valley), who is studying abroad this fall.

Looking to take her place is sophomore Sierra Brisky (Acme/Mount Baker). Three freshmen, Kirsten Moore (Carlsbad, CA), Jillian Altizer (Bellevue/Newport) and Kristi Fairbanks (Snohomish), could also be impact runners. Moore redshirted last season.

"The women came into their own last year," Halsell said. "That (national placing) really gave them confidence and they've been training hard."

Western opens its season on Sept. 5, playing host to the Lake Padden Relays. Also competing in that meet are Seattle Pacific and Slippery Rock PA. Each school will have a number of four-person relay teams with each individual running 2.5 miles.

The 36th annual WWU Invitational is Oct. 10, followed by the GNAC Championships on Oct. 24 at Yakima, the NCAA II West Regional on Nov. 7 at San Francisco, Calif., and the NCAA II National Championships on Nov. 21 at Evansville, Ind.

Halsell expects the men to battle Alaska Anchorage, Cal Poly Pomona, UC San Diego and Chico State at regionals for the three national berths. There will only be four national entries from the West Regional for the women, one less than last year, with Alaska Anchorage, Cal State L.A., UC San Diego, Chico State and Seattle Pacific expected to be the top competition.

Chico State is the defending regional champion for both men and women.