ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – The University of Alaska Anchorage had three runners, Cole Nash, Michael Zapherson and Nell Baker, earn all-conference honors in front of the home crowd during the 2023 GNAC Cross Country Championships at Kincaid Park Saturday.
The runners enjoyed a raucous crowd that powered them through the hills of Kincaid under clear skies and temperatures in the 30's.
Nell Baker ran with the lead pack through the first of two three-kilometer loops. Positions were still up for grabs as the women started up the final climb at the far end of the stadium. Baker came storming down the final hill to the finish fifth in 21:18. She earned all-conference and GNAC Newcomer of the Year honors for her efforts.
The men's race was similar to the women's with a small lead pack of men that included defending GNAC Champion Cole Nash of UAA. Groups started to form as the men made their way through the stadium completing the first of two four-kilometer loops.
Kevin McDermott of Western Washington and Johan Correa of Central Washington were side-by-side over the final hill before McDermott came from behind to out-kick Correa for the win. Nash finished third in 25:01.
Michael Zapherson earned All-GNAC honors for the second straight season finishing sixth in 25:10.
John Peckham was in position to claim the last all-conference honor but was passed just before the line and finished 11th (25:22).
George Payne placed 13th (25:48), and Ty Elliott ran the best race of his young career to finish 18th (25:56).
The UAA men finished second of 10 teams with 51 points, 14 points behind Western Washington. The finish was the highest for the Seawolves since they won the title in 2018.
Tressa Wood finished 31st (22:53), and Sofija Spaic was 33rd (23:00). Avery Williamson was 39th (23:29), and Monica Ruelas finished 43rd (23:40).
The UAA women finished fifth of 10 teams with 137 points, their highest finish since 2019 when they placed second.
"Two big steps forward today for the program," said associate head coach Chas Davis. "Not because of what happened on paper, but because of how this team has come together, sacrificed for each other and handled adversity. Yes we are thrilled with the women placing fifth and happy with the men finishing - both program bests since at least 2019. But knowing what went into those performances is the reward and the story of a radically changed team. Two years ago after almost losing the program and coming out of the pandemic, we barely had 6-7 people on both squads and a culture that reflected the challenges of the previous few years. Today marked a radically improved team and was an important tangible step on the road back to the top. It doesn't happen without these kids believing in what we are doing and believing in each other. It's that culture that's going to take us back to national prominence in the near future. Really proud to be this group's coach."
Today marked just the second time UAA has hosted the GNAC Cross Country Championships since it hosted the inaugural championship in 2001.
The Seawolves will compete at the NCAA West Regional Championships in Monmouth, Ore. Nov. 4th.
