WAC Championship not enough for UVU Cross Country

Wolverine runners want more as they prepare for NCAA Regionals

Kyle McDonald | Sports editor | @kylesportsbias

Photos courtesy of UVU Athletics

On the morning of Halloween, the Utah Valley University men’s and women’s cross country teams did what most coaches in the Western Athletic Conference expected them to do. They won the WAC Championship with dominating performance by both teams.  The men won by 22 points and the women by 32 over the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  Jason Lynch and Sam Heaton took home top honors to help the Wolverines sweep the championships on their home course.

UVU now prepares for the NCAA Mountain Regional Championships that will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday, November 13.

“We’re expecting big things,” Lynch said. “We’ve been looking forward to this meet all year.”

At the NCAA Mountain Regional Championships in 2014, UVU placed 13th to end their season.  Seth Gutzwiller placed 43rd, which was highest among the men and Ivie Gonsalves placed 45th to pace the women.

“It’s our goal as a team and individually to qualify for Nationals,” Lynch said.

They will be looking for a much better finish as sophomore Tyson Lambert leads the men along with Lynch, Logan Petty, Trac Norris, and Chris Brower.  Along with Heaton, McKayla Morgan, Harley Murray, Jasmine Nesbitt and Savannah Berry looking to make their mark in the women’s race.

“We’re up for the challenge,” Lynch said. “We’re ready for it. A lot of people are peaking at the right time.”