BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University cross country seniors Ella Edens and Jared Alderfer swept the GNAC Runner of the Week award for their standout performances over the weekend at the Lewis Crossover.
 
Edens (Marysville, WA/Lake Stevens HS) earned her second Runner of the Week honor for her third-place performance out of 246 runners at the Lewis Crossover, clocking a 6K time of 21:39.3. The top five finish helped lead the Vikings to 5th place out of 26 teams competing in the national preview meet. Edens won the season-opening Bill Roe Classic at Hovander Park on September 26, making for a historic start to her senior season. The Marysville native earned a pair of silver medals at the GNAC Outdoor Championships in the 3000m Steeplechase and 5000m, was All-GNAC XC last season placing 5th and USTFCCCA All-West Region with a 16th-place finish.
 
Alderfer (Midway City, CA/California HS) earned his first GNAC Runner of the Week award with a fourth-place finish at the Lewis Crossover, leading the Vikings to the team victory in the 28-team field. Alderfer was the top GNAC performer at the meet with an 8K time of 24:21.9 to earn fourth place out of 275 runners. A reigning all-conference and all-region performer, Alderfer finished ninth at the 2025 GNAC Championships, 13th at the 2025 NCAA West Region Championships and 55th at last year's NCAA Championships.
 
The Vikings return to action Saturday, October 26 hosting the Lake Padden Invitational in Bellingham. The 2026 GNAC Championships follow on Saturday, November 7 at Ash Creek Preserve on the campus of Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon. WWU is the four-time defending conference champion in both men's and women's cross country at the GNAC Championships.