Harriers Get One Last Chance To Make WCC Championship Squad
10/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
SPOKANE, Wash. - It's officially called the Inland Northwest Cross Country Challenge, but for Gonzaga University's men's and women's cross country teams it might as well be tagged the Last Chance Invitational.
Action starts Friday with the women's 5K at 4 p.m. followed by the men's 8K at 4:45 p.m. at Spokane Falls Community College.
With the West Coast Conference Championship just two weeks away, it's the last chance the Bulldogs have to impress head coach Pat Tyson and assistant coach Patty Ley when they sit down over the weekend to name the nine men and nine women who will be participating in the WCC meet.
"This is our last rough draft, as all of these events have been, leading up to WCC's to see what we are really about." Tyson said. "We know it's a pretty good line-up tomorrow. Washington State is running their top men and women and they are both regionally ranked. The University of Calgary is coming in and they have some seasoned Canadians. Montana is bringing their top teams, and their women are pretty good as they beat us at their invitational a couple of weeks ago. This will be a real good test effort to see who we line up for the WCC."
Tyson said the women's line-up for WCC's is a little more stable than the men's.
"The women seem to be a little more solid. There are nine or 10 in the mix, and the top seven are pretty much set," Tyson said.
The Bulldog women get Emily Thomas back in the line-up after missing the last two meets for health reasons. Lindsey Drake, who has been running one-two with Thomas most of the season, is also a lock for a WCC spot.
"Emily did a little cross training, but there was a point where they had to shut her training down," Tyson said. "She'll be in top form by the WCC. She may be a little rusty Friday, but she's so tough that's her gift. She may not be at her top level but she will certainly help the ladies out."
Tyson likes where the women are at this point in the season.
"We have a nice little rhythm going. We'll look at the results, so there could be a change or two. On the men's side we use the term 'muddy water', Tyson said. "We have some top guns. Our top seven right now has different winners. Nate Gesell ran well early, and Tate Kelly has run well late. Willie Milam performed well at Oregon. Those three are really solid."
After that there are a host of characters in the hunt, according to Tyson.
"Brent Felnagle has been consistent in helping the team, Patrick Richie had one little burp, but he's got some real good experience to add to the team, along with Robert Walgren. The guy really starting to shine and a guy who can really help this team is Andrew Walker. He's had some bouts with injuries and is a little rusty, but he's looking outstanding. We're pretty solid with those seven and then we have five, six or seven freshmen battling for that eighth and ninth spot."
Tyson said redshirt freshman Paul Kupcis is looking great, and two freshmen in Alex Foote and Nick Roche are looking good. Two other newcomers, Colin O'Neil and Braeden Van Deynze "have had some injuries lately, and if they were healthy I would feel really good about them," Tyson continued.
But Tyson pointed out anything can happen on Friday.
"Last year when we did this meet at Eastern Washington, who knew Milam and Felnagle would have unbelievable races and knock out a couple of people for WCC spots?," Tyson said.
