FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 8, 2026) – The first weekend of men’s and women’s cross country action is in the books, and the Big Sky Conference office has announced its first round of Athlete of the Week honorees.
Men’s Athlete of the Week: Ari Smith, Portland State
After becoming the first Portland State Viking to win a men’s cross country race since 2011, Ari Smith was named Big Sky Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week.
Smith won the Lewis & Clark XC Opener in a time of 15:01.7, shaving more than 30 seconds off the PSU school record at that distance.
Other’s Nominated: Conner Wirth (EWU), Luke Mest (UM), Sam Ells (MSU), Manny Perez (NAU), Tristian Persons (UNC), Ryan Hatch (UT), Jake Peterson (WSU)
Co-Women’s Athlete of the Week: Claire Rutherford, Montana State
After winning the Bobcat Twilight meet in Bozeman, Montana State’s Claire Rutherford was named Co-Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week.
Rutherford earned her first collegiate cross country victory by crossing the finish line in 17:29.8 to win the women’s 5K and lead the Bobcats to a 15 point sweep of the event.
Co-Women’s Athlete of the Week: Ava Mitchell, Northern Arizona
With a victory at the George Kyte Classic, Northern Arizona’s Ava Mitchell was named Co-Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week.
Mitchell crossed the finish line in 14:41.9 after the 2.5-mile race in Flagstaff. The Lumberjacks emerged victorious in their home meet as well.
Other’s Nominated: Sam Anders (EWU), Jesse Redding (UI), Olivia Coll (UM), Sabina Storia (UNC), Stina Tagesson (PSU), Averie Perriton (UT), Saga Hagelin (WSU)
Northern Arizona Receives Top 10 Rankings
The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its Preseason National Rankings before the campaigns began, which tabbed the Northern Arizona men No. 7 in the NCAA and the Lumberjack women No. 8.
Both teams were projected third in the NCAA Mountain Region.
USTFCCCA Region Rankings (Aug. 31)
Men’s Mountain Region
3. Northern Arizona
8. Weber State
10. Montana State
12. Southern Utah
14. Idaho State
15. Montana
Women’s Mountain Region
3. Northern Arizona
11. Weber State
12. Montana State
14. Southern Utah
15. Idaho State
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Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, September 10
Event: Beehive Invite
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Host: Utah
Participants: SUU
Friday, September 11
Event: WSU Cougar Classic
Location: Pullman, Washington
Host: Washington State
Participants: UM
Event: Ash Creek Collegiate
Location: Monmouth, Oregon
Host: Western Oregon
Participants: PSU
Friday, September 18
Event: Montana Invite
Location: Missoula, Montana
Host: Montana
Participants: EWU, UI, ISU, UM, MSU
Saturday, September 19
Event: John McNichols Invitational
Location: Terre Haute, Indiana
Host: Indiana State
Participants: MSU, NAU, WSU
Event: MSU Denver Roadrunner Invite
Location: Denver, Colorado
Host: Metropolitan State University of Denver
Participants: UNC
Event: UCR Invitational
Location: Riverside, California
Host: UC Riverside
Participants: SUU, UT