Gonzaga University
NCAA Championships
Men’s XC, Kristen Garcia Set to Compete at NCAA Nationals
11/19/2021 2:18:00 PM | Cross Country
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The culmination of historic seasons for both Gonzaga cross country squads is set for Saturday morning at Apalachee Regional Park, where GU's men's squad and Kristen Garcia will both make their second consecutive appearances representing the Zags at the NCAA National Championships.
The GU men, ranked as high as No. 13 in the nation in the USTFCCCA Polls earlier this fall, qualified as a team for the first time in program history in a COVID-delayed 2020 Championships that took place in March on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. Returning nine of their top ten from that team, the Zags finished fifth at the NCAA West Regionals last Friday and earned an at-large bid to Nationals soon after.
The Bulldogs are led by James Mwaura, who is making his third consecutive appearance at NCAA's after qualifying as an individual in 2019 and finished fifth overall at Regionals while running the fastest 10K time in program history with a time of 29:35.2. Wil Smith (14th, 30:04.5) and Cullen McEachern (17th, 30:10.6) joined Mwaura on the All-Region podium while running the fourth- and sixth-fastest times in program history — a program-record three All-Region honorees.
Garcia back for more
Garcia's third-place finish at NCAA West Regionals anchored a program-best fourth-place team finish and secured her fourth consecutive appearance at Nationals after qualifying with Wisconsin twice prior to joining the Bulldogs. Last season, she placed a career-best 129th, crossing the finish line at 21:44.1. She was the first GU women's runner in the event since the Bulldogs qualified as a team in 2015 and placed 25th led by Shelby Mills' 82nd place (20:44) finish.
Follow the Race
2021 NCAA XC Championships
Women's 6K: 7:20 a.m. PST
Men's 10K: 8:10 a.m. PST
TV: ESPNU
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