Bernal Joins GU Cross Country and Track
5/20/2019 10:31:00 AM | Cross Country, Track and Field
New Mexico graduate transfer will finish her career at Gonzaga
SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga women's cross country and track head coach Jake Stewart announced the signing of Natasha Bernal Monday.
"The opportunity to have Natasha Bernal join the program was exciting for everyone involved in the recruitment process," Stewart said. "During her visit, she meshed really well with the women in our program, it was a great fit from the get-go. Natasha's up beat personality and enthusiasm will fit in with this team seamlessly. Natasha is coming to Gonzaga with a lot of experience, but what impressed us the most was her own inner-drive to accomplish more in her running and in her academics. We can't wait to get her on campus in August and have her become a Zag!"
Natasha Bernal
Albuquerque, N.M. | New Mexico | La Cueva High School
Bernal joins the Zags as a graduate transfer and will be immediately eligible in 2019-20. She was a member of the Lobo's national championship cross country teams in 2015 and 2017, and has been a part of three Mountain West Conference titles during her career.
On the track, Bernal's 3,000 and 5,000-meter personal records are 9:45.62 and 16:27.45. Her 3,000-meter steeplechase best is 10:15.90.
Prior to joining the Lobos, Bernal was named the New Mexico Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2014. She raced to the 2015 Class 6A individual state championship, leading La Cueva High School to the state title as a team. In track, Bernal won the 1,600 meters eight times her senior year, including at the New Mexico 6A State Championships. Along with her win in the 5000 at the state championships, she also won the 3200 and 800. Bernal is believed to be the first female athlete from New Mexico to sweep all three distance races at state.
"The opportunity to have Natasha Bernal join the program was exciting for everyone involved in the recruitment process," Stewart said. "During her visit, she meshed really well with the women in our program, it was a great fit from the get-go. Natasha's up beat personality and enthusiasm will fit in with this team seamlessly. Natasha is coming to Gonzaga with a lot of experience, but what impressed us the most was her own inner-drive to accomplish more in her running and in her academics. We can't wait to get her on campus in August and have her become a Zag!"
Natasha Bernal
Albuquerque, N.M. | New Mexico | La Cueva High School
Bernal joins the Zags as a graduate transfer and will be immediately eligible in 2019-20. She was a member of the Lobo's national championship cross country teams in 2015 and 2017, and has been a part of three Mountain West Conference titles during her career.
On the track, Bernal's 3,000 and 5,000-meter personal records are 9:45.62 and 16:27.45. Her 3,000-meter steeplechase best is 10:15.90.
Prior to joining the Lobos, Bernal was named the New Mexico Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2014. She raced to the 2015 Class 6A individual state championship, leading La Cueva High School to the state title as a team. In track, Bernal won the 1,600 meters eight times her senior year, including at the New Mexico 6A State Championships. Along with her win in the 5000 at the state championships, she also won the 3200 and 800. Bernal is believed to be the first female athlete from New Mexico to sweep all three distance races at state.
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