NAU, WSU Unanimous Choice
PDF of Complete Release
OGDEN, Utah (August 23, 2012) - The Northern Arizona men and the Weber State women were unanimously chosen to win the 2012 Big Sky Conference Cross Country titles, according to a vote by the league’s coaches.
The NAU men received 11 first-place votes for 121 points. The Lumberjacks have won the last five cross country titles and have a total of 21 titles. NAU will host the 2012 Big Sky Cross Country Championships in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Saturday, Oct. 27.
NAU lost runners Diego Estrada, who won his first individual title in 2011. The Lumberjacks also lost Jordan Chipangama and are redshirting Tim Freriks this season. But the Lumberjacks return Bahlbi Gebreyohanns, Caleb Hoover and add several newcomers to the mix.
Weber State was picked second with 106 points and Montana State was third with 96 points. Fourth and fifth place were only separated by a point. Sacramento State was chosen fourth with 76 points and Southern Utah, which is new to the league this season was chosen fifth with 75 points. Selected after Southern Utah was Montana (6th, 68 points), Idaho State (7th, 56), Eastern Washington (8th, 55), North Dakota (9th, 29) and Northern Colorado and Portland State were tied for 10th with 22 points.
Weber State women’s team was picked to defend their title. WSU received 11 first-place votes for a total of 121 points. The Wildcats return a strong group of runners, including defending individual champion Amber Henry. WSU also returns Sarah Callister, Laken Hintze and Taylor Thornley.
Northern Arizona women’s team was picked second with 102 points, and Montana was picked third with 95 points. Idaho State was selected fourth with 86 points, Montana State was fifth with 71 points and sixth and seventh place were only separated by two points. Southern Utah was picked sixth with 67 points and Sacramento State was seventh with 65 points. Following the Hornets were Eastern Washington (8th, 39 points), Northern Colorado and North Dakota finished tied for ninth with 29 points and Portland State (11th, 22).
Voting is calculated by each team receiving 11 points for a first place vote, 10 points for a second place vote, etc. Coaches are allowed to vote for their respective teams. Below are the final results with the number of first place votes in parenthesis.
The 2012 season starts Friday, Aug. 31 with six teams in action and Saturday, Sept. 1 with three teams competing.
MEN’S RESULTS
School Points
Northern Arizona 121 (11)
Weber State 106
Montana State 96
Sacramento State 76
Southern Utah 75
Montana 68
Idaho State 56
Eastern Washington 55
North Dakota 29
Northern Colorado 22
Portland State 22
Women’s Results
School Points
Weber State 121 (11)
Northern Arizona 102
Montana 95
Idaho State 86
Montana State 71
Southern Utah 67
Sacramento State 65
Eastern Washington 39
Northern Colorado 29
North Dakota 29
Portland State 22