WSU Cross Country Teams Head to NCAA West Regional in Sacramento

The Washington State men’s and women’s cross country teams are traveling to Sacramento, California, for the NCAA West Regional this Friday, Nov. 13.

The teams will compete at the Arcade Creek Cross Country Course to secure a spot in the national championships.

According to wsucougars.com, the women’s 6-kilometer race is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. PT, followed by the men’s 10-kilometer race at 10 a.m. PT. Both squads enter the regional following high-level performances at the Pac-12 Championships in Boise, Idaho.

The women’s team is coming off a conference title victory in Boise. Nelly Jemeli earned first place in the conference race with a time of 19:57.0. Millie Bii followed in third place, clocking 20:07.5, while Lauren Hoyt and Faith Kipmaiyo finished 13th and 15th, respectively.

The men’s team secured a third-place finish at the Pac-12 Championships. Solomon Kipchoge took the individual title with a time of 22:46.8. Evans Kurui finished second in 22:57.8, and Kutoven Stevens placed 11th to help the team’s overall standing.

The stakes in Sacramento are high for the Washington State distance runners. Only the top two teams from each regional race will earn automatic bids to the NCAA Championships. For the Cougars, this regional serves as the final gateway to the national stage.

If both teams win the West Regional, they will advance to the NCAA Championships on Saturday, Nov. 21. That event is scheduled to take place in Terre Haute, Indiana.