Gonzaga University
Eastern Washington Invitational
Boyle Runs Away To Inland Northwest Challenge Title
10/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 16, 2010
Complete Results in PDF Format 
CHENEY, Wash. - Chris Boyle set the pace in winning the men's race and senior captain Laura Volcheff led a strong women's contingent as Gonzaga University's cross country teams got their final tune-ups prior to the West Coast Conference Championships Saturday at the Inland Northwest Challenge.
Boyle covered the 8K Eastern Washington University layout in 24:35.6 for a 9-second victory over Nicol Scott of the University of Calgary. Boyle's effort paced the Bulldog men to a second-place finish behind the Dinos. Calgary scored 32 points with Gonzaga at 62.
Volcheff finished sixth in the women's 5K in 18:31.2 to also help the women to a second-place finish behind Calgary. The Dinos had 44 points to 63 by the Bulldogs.
Bulldog head coach Pat Tyson has also announced his squads for the WCC Championship Oct. 30. While the women's seven-person delegation was set going into Saturday, the men's spots were pretty much wide open after Boyle.
Tyson said Volcheff, Emily Thomas, Lauren Bergam, Kayla Lloyd, Brittany O'Regan, Lara Tuthill and Brenn Donnelly will compete in two weeks. In addition to Boyle, Tyson said Willie Milam, Brent Felnagle, Robert Walgren, Christian Burger, Tate Kelly and Matt Bejar will represent the men.
Milam was probably the surprise of Saturday, finishing 12th in 25:21.0. In Milam, Felnagle and Walgren the Bulldogs will have three true freshmen competing.
"The women were pretty predictable today. Donnelly hasn't run for a period of time and we totally honor her being into the lineup going to the WCC," Tyson said. "She has two weeks to get it back and get into racing form. I love the fight by Volcheff. She has that real good spirit of racing and competitiveness. O'Regan looked better today. Molly Moore stepped it up and is our number one alternate going to the WCC. It's nice to have depth on the ladies side."
Thomas, a redshirt freshman, finished 10th Saturday in 18:52.9, and Donnelly ran her first race in nearly a month and finished 24th in 19:31.4. Tuthill, who was 20th in 19:22.6, is a true freshman.
Tyson was pleased with the effort of the men.
"It was a competitive race, maybe not top end, but it's been a long time since we've had a pretty good competitive race. To see Boyle win his first race was exciting for him and that's the kind of thing he needs to get ready for WCC. He orchestrated his race perfectly," Tyson said. "Team wise they are just all over the place. How to come up with the seven (for WCC) was a challenge. Milam was big time in the mix today and earned a spot. Kelly came on at the end of the race and was in the mix and got a spot. We're going to leave a couple of guys home that on any other given year in Gonzaga history would be going. It's a good thing for the team and not so good for the individual, but that's the evolution of Gonzaga right now."
Boyle said he "made a move at about three miles and then right at bottom of hill decided to make one big fat move. At the top of the hill I just started running and knew if I took the lead I couldn't let anybody pass me."
Heading into the race Boyle didn't know what to expect.
"I didn't feel too great before the race and a mile or two in I was mixing it up with some guys. Then I heard coach Tyson say `you have to believe Chris' and then I knew I was going to do well and to stop feeling sorry for myself and start getting after it a little harder," he said.
Boyle said he didn't have a great race at Montana two weeks ago because he was a little sick and was worried coming into Saturday.
"I've been sick the last couple of weeks so I was a little worried about today. I think this race was the first race feeling comfortable again. It was a great tune-up, especially for the guys. I think our team will surprise some guys in California," Boyle said as he looked ahead to the WCC.
While Boyle has some individual goals, he said it's all about the team.
"Going into this year it was top 10 again (in the WCC). I'd love to crack the top five, but for me it's to help the team as much as possible. Our goal is to get top four or maybe top three and we definitely want to go to regional as a team. Anyway I can help the team is better for the team. The higher I score the better the team does," he said.
Tyson is also looking forward to see how his team will do in two weeks. The Bulldogs were picked fifth in both races in a preseason vote of coaches.
"They don't look like they are afraid and we need that going to WCC," Tyson said of the attitude of his squad.
