For the second-straight year, the Weber State University women’s cross-country team is the Big Sky Conference champion.
The Wildcats compiled 29 points in the race to narrowly beat in-state rival Southern Utah University. Northern Arizona University rounded out the top three in the meet. This is the fifth time WSU has lifted the conference trophy and the first time it has won back-to-back championships.
WSU took the top three spots at the meet, with Amber Henry capturing the individual conference title for the second-straight year. She is the first Wildcat and just the fifth athlete in conference history to win consecutive individual titles.
Henry posted a time of 16:59.7 on the 5K course at the Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Ariz. She narrowly defeated teammate Sarah Callister, who finished second overall at 17:02.1. Senior Taylor Thornley was third overall at 17:06.9.
“It obviously feels great to repeat as conference champions,” said WSU Head Coach Paul Pilkington. “Our top three runners all ran tremendous races. It was a great race between Amber and Sarah for the title. I’m proud of our effort and what we were able to accomplish.”
The WSU men’s team also competed at the meet in Arizona. The men finished in second place, led by John Coyle. He posted a time of 24:59.0 on the 8K course to claim fifth place overall. Junior Mike Hardy was eighth at 25:23.6, and Jason Nance claimed ninth place at 25:32.7. All three earned All-Big Sky honors.
Both Wildcat teams will now prepare for the NCAA Mountain Region meet, which will be on Nov. 9 in Fort Collins, Colo. Those who qualify will then compete at the NCAA Championships on Nov. 17 in Louisville, Ky.
