By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University Cross Country team placed 30 student-athletes on the 2026 GNAC All-Academic Team presented by Barnes and Noble College.
The Viking men led the conference with 20 academic all-star selections, and the Western women had 10 student-athletes earn the yearly academic award.
Of the WWU award winners, 17 were repeat selections, led by senior Alanna Parker earning her fourth GNAC All-Academic honor. Senior Anders Norman from the men's team earned his third conference academic award while carrying a perfect 4.00 GPA. Seniors Josephine Stevenson and Kendall Carter also represented the women's team as three-time selections.
To qualify for academic all-conference, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20, must be in at least their second season competing for their team and must have competed on the course during the 2026 campaign. First-year freshman and redshirt freshman are not eligible for the academic all-conference team.
The 2026 GNAC Cross Country academic awards featured 135 total selections (Women – 67, Men – 68) with 59 repeat winners and 76 newcomers.
Here is a listing of the Vikings to earn a spot on the 2026 GNAC Cross Country All-Academic Team:
|
Student-Athlete – Women
|
Major
|
Yr.
|
GPA
|
Hometown
|
|
Kendall Carter*#
|
Kinesiology
|
Sr.
|
3.64
|
Spokane, WA
|
|
Riley Carter
|
Undeclared
|
So.
|
3.62
|
Ocala, FL
|
|
Sarah Dickson
|
Kinesiology
|
So.
|
3.48
|
Kent, WA
|
|
Olivia Friedrich
|
Kinesiology
|
So.
|
3.89
|
Mill Creek, WA
|
| Mackenzie Macdonald |
Human Services |
Jr. |
3.62 |
San Jose, CA |
|
Danielle McLain*
|
Biology
|
Jr.
|
3.64
|
Bandon, OR
|
|
Alanna Parker*#!
|
Kinesiology
|
Sr.
|
3.40
|
Spokane, WA
|
|
Skye Stenehjem
|
Industrial Design
|
So.
|
3.90
|
Yakima, WA
|
|
Josephine Stevenson*#
|
Environmental Studies
|
Sr.
|
3.88
|
Puyallup, WA
|
|
Cecilia Villagomez-Edvalson
|
Psychology
|
So.
|
3.34
|
LaGrande, OR
|
|
Student-Athlete – Men
|
Major
|
Yr.
|
GPA
|
Hometown
|
|
Jonah Billings*
|
Journalism/History
|
Jr.
|
3.56
|
Ventura, CA
|
|
Sten Brakstad*
|
English
|
Jr.
|
3.90
|
Portland, OR
|
|
Mason Hammons*
|
Kinesiology
|
Jr.
|
3.47
|
Mukilteo, WA
|
|
Logan King
|
Economics
|
So.
|
3.97
|
Hood River, OR
|
|
Chance Leandro
|
Economics
|
So.
|
3.67
|
Ventura, CA
|
|
Leaf McQuillen
|
Kinesiology
|
So.
|
3.27
|
Portland, OR
|
|
Lev Michaels*
|
History
|
Jr.
|
3.83
|
Portland, OR
|
|
Anders Norman*#
|
Kinesiology MS
|
Sr
|
4.00
|
Yakima, WA
|
|
Cale O'Day*
|
Econ/German/Spanish
|
Jr.
|
3.81
|
Colorado Springs, CO
|
|
Barrett Poulsen
|
Kinesiology
|
So.
|
3.79
|
Valleyford, WA
|
|
Liam Rapp*
|
Kinesiology
|
Jr.
|
3.54
|
Ridgefield, WA
|
|
Luke Reiss*
|
Economics
|
Jr.
|
3.91
|
San Luis Obispo, CA
|
|
Nathan Reseigh*
|
Financial Economics
|
Jr.
|
3.62
|
Boulder, CO
|
|
Cole Riley*
|
Finance
|
Sr.
|
3.28
|
Orting, WA
|
|
Diego Rodriguez #
|
Electrical & Computer Engineering
|
Sr.
|
3.25
|
San Antonio, TX
|
|
Jacob Schutt
|
Kinesiology
|
Jr.
|
3.76
|
Kenmore, WA
|
|
Eduardo Tobon Sanchez*
|
Manufacturing & Supply Chain
|
Jr.
|
3.60
|
Richland, WA
|
|
Sabastian Vahid
|
Biochemistry
|
So.
|
3.89
|
Bellingham, WA
|
|
Eli Williams
|
Kinesiology
|
So.
|
3.98
|
LaGrande, OR
|
|
Spencer Zeljak*
|
Environmental Studies
|
Jr.
|
3.39
|
San Jose, CA
|
|
* 2025 selection; # 2024 selection; ! 2023 selection
|
