By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University senior
Ella Edens turned in a winning performance at the Bill Roe Classic to earn the GNAC Runner of the Week award.
Edens (Marysville, WA/Lake Stevens HS) won the Bill Roe Classic on Saturday at Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale, topping a field of 85 competitors. Edens turned in a personal-best 6k time of 20:48.0, completing the course 14.8 seconds ahead of runner-up Abigail Yakemchuk of UBC Okanagan. It marked the first-career cross country win for Edens, who was the 2023 GNAC Freshman of the Year and is a two-time cross country all-conference performer including fifth at last year's GNAC Championships.
"Ella's performance over the weekend was a testament to the incredible work and commitment she put in all summer long," said WWU distance coach
T.J. Garlatz. "Earning her first collegiate victory while leading our squad to the team title is a huge milestone, and seeing that jump in fitness translate so directly onto the course is tremendously rewarding. She set the tone for our entire team and we couldn't be prouder to see her effort recognized with Athlete of the Week."
Edens performance guided the Vikings to the team victory with a score of 44 to finish nine points ahead of GNAC foe Central Washington. The WWU women entered the meet ranked No. 6 in the West Region. The Vikings return to competition October 10 with top members of the squad racing at the Lewis Crossover in Romeville, Illinois and the remainder of the team at the Emerald City Open at Lower Woodland Park in Seattle.
