BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University Cross Country program hosts the 46^thAnnual WWU Classic on Saturday at Sudden Valley Golf Course.

 

The annual event is one of the top cross country meets in the West Region, with four top-10 regionally and nationally-ranked teams in the women's race and three regionally-ranked teams in the men's competition. The WWU women are ranked No. 5 in the West Region and No. 18 in the nation, while the men are 9^th in the West Region.

 

The women's 6,000-meter race is scheduled to begin at 10 am with the men's 10,000-meter race at 11 am. The men's race will be the only chance to try their hand at the regional and national championship distance of 10,000 meters prior to the postseason competition. 

 

This marks the second consecutive year the WWU Classic has been held at Sudden Valley Golf Course, with all but eight years of our first 44 previous years of the event being held at Lake Padden in Bellingham.

 

"We are excited to race at home and host this great event in our own backyard once again," said WWU head coach Pee Wee Halsell, in his 32^nd year coaching the Vikings. "I am eager to see where the student-athletes are in their progression and looking forward to a great competition out in Sudden Valley. We enjoyed the new course last year and were welcomed with open arms by the great staff at the golf course and look forward to the same experience this year."

 

The WWU Classic closes out the regular-season portion of the 2019 season, with the GNAC Championships being held October 26 at Amend Park in Billings, Montana and the NCAA II West Regional on November 9 at Ash Creek Preserve in Monmouth, Oregon. The NCAA Division II National Championships will be held November 23 at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, California.

 

Here are some of the details on the 46^th Annual WWU Classic that will be held on Saturday, October 12 beginning at 10 am on Sudden Valley Golf Course in Bellingham.

 

»      What: 46^th Annual WWU Classic

»      When: Saturday, October 12, 2019

»      Where: Sudden Valley Golf Course in Bellingham, WA

»      Time: Women's 6K (10 am start), Men's 10K (11 am start)

»      Entries: Team entries can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com

»      Results: Will be posted on WWUVikings.com/XC when they become available

»      Parking: Limited amount of parking is available at the Sudden Valley Golf Course

»      Cost: Free of charge to come out and support collegiate cross country

 

 

The WWU women's team enters the WWU Classic ranked No. 5 in the West Region and No. 18 in the latest USTFCCCA Division II National Poll. Here is a look at teams competing in the women's 6K and men's 10K at the WWU Classic with their regional and national DII rankings (regional ranking / national ranking):

 

 

Here is the WWU section of the GNAC Cross Country weekly notebook provided by the conference office and Director of Communications Blake Timm:

 

»      Western Washington went split squad for the only time this season, sending athletes to both the Ken Griak Invitational in St. Paul, Minn., and the Ken Garland Invitational in Lacey on Sept. 28.

»      The Vikings top runners performed well in the big Roy Griak meet, placing 4th in both the men's and women's maroon races. The women posted a score of 113 points and the men finished with 126 points.

»      Senior Talia Dreicer led the Vikings with her 16th place finish at the Griak, covering the 6,000 meters in 23:07.1. Sophomore Rebecca Lehman placed 21st in a time of 23:17.2 while junior Jane Barr was 24th in 23:19.5.

»      Junior Eric Hamel and senior James Jasperson finished back-to-back to lead the WWU men at the Griak. Hamel placed 17th in a time of 26:08.7 for 8,000 meters while Jasperson was 18th in 26:10.6. Junior Ed Kiolbasa also had a top-30 finish, placing 25th in 26:27.4.

 

The 3rd Annual Sudden Valley Ghosts and Ghouls Fun Run will be held on Sudden Valley Golf Course prior to the WWU Classic. Registration for the event begins at 8:30 am, with the community 5K beginning at 9 am and the kids 500-meter dash following at 9:45 am. The entrance fee is a donation to the Sudden Valley Community Cupboard, either a cash donation or non-perishable goods. Costumes are encouraged!

 

From the South

Take Interstate-5 Northbound to the Alger Exit #240. At the stop sign, turn right. Proceed straight through stop sign across Old Highway 99. Road will begin to proceed North. Follow to Lake Whatcom Blvd. and Sudden Valley. When you enter the community of Sudden Valley, take the Gate 2 entrance on the right, across from the market and gas station, to the Clubhouse.

 

From the North

Take Interstate 5 South. Exit Lakeway Drive (Exit 253). At the stop light, turn left, passing Fred Meyer Shopping Center on the right. Follow Lakeway east approximately 8miles. After the fire station on the left, take the second left into Gate 2 passing Sun-Mark Properties on the right. Take the first left (at the Pro Shop, Restaurant, Administration sign) into the Clubhouse parking lot.

 

The 2019 WWU cross country schedule features five regular-season meets, followed by the GNAC Championships, NCAA II West Regional and the NCAA II Championships. Start times for all meets will be posted online at WWUVikings.com/XC when they are finalized. For the 2019 season, the women will race first and the men second at each meet.

 

 

Fans can follow WWU Cross Country online at WWUVikings.com/XC, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUTFXC), Instagram (@WWUTFXC) and Facebook (@WWUTFXC).