Oct. 20, 2005

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

JOE SUNNEN, THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

The Western Washington University men's cross country team will be looking to do something this weekend that no men's team in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference has ever done - win two conference titles.

The men's and women's teams will be racing at the fifth annual GNAC Championship on Saturday at Lake Padden Park in Bellingham. The women's 6-kilometer race starts at 10:30 a.m. and the men's 8-kilometer race is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

"I think it's an advantage to host the race," WWU coach Pee Wee Halsell said. "We'll know the course a little better and we won't have to travel."

The Vikings men's team enters the race ranked No. 24 in the latest American Cross Country Coaches Association/NCAA Division II National Poll. WWU has won two races this season, the Emerald City Open at the beginning of the season and the Vikings Invitational two weeks ago. Western last won the men's GNAC title in 2003.

"Because it's been raining so much, the ground could be mushy and that could slow things down," Halsell said. "But I think we'll do pretty well." The main competition for the men will likely come from Alaska-Anchorage. The Seawolves are ranked 20th in the nation this season and have won three races. This will be the first time the Vikings have raced against Alaska-Anchorage this season.

"We haven't seen them yet," Halsell said. "But we know they have a good team."

On the women's side, WWU senior Laura Trevellyan will be looking for her first individual title. Trevellyan finished second in the race last season and third in 2003. Seattle Pacific University's Meredith Crane is the probable favorite. The transfer from Texas A&M has won three races this season.

"Laura will run well, she's a great competitor," Halsell said.

SETTING THE PACE

Sophomore Courtney Schneider continues to set new records for the Vikings. The WWU volleyball team had its five-match winning streak snapped by Central on Saturday, but the defensive specialist set a new team mark with 46 digs in the match and came within one dig of GNAC record. The Vikings lost the match in five games. Schneider broke her own mark of 42 digs that she set in September.

The Vikings host Saint Martin's today before meeting conference leading Seattle University on Saturday. WWU plays its only scheduled Tuesday match of the season against Grand Canyon next week at Carver Gymnasium.

NO BLOWOUTS HERE The WWU women's soccer team has lost all six of its games by just one goal. They also haven't beaten an opponent by more than two goals this season.

The Vikings host Northwest Nazarene today at Civic Stadium at 1 p.m., before leaving for Phoenix, Ariz., for a game on Friday. WWU has two more home games left on its schedule after today. Lindsey Cox leads the team with four goals. Rosie Zadra and Kelly Gagne are tied for the points lead with 10.