SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga Women's Cross Country and Track Head Coach Jake Stewart announced the addition of grad transfer Caramia Mestler to next year's squad Tuesday, bringing in an experienced distance specialist who advanced to the NCAA West Region Semis in the 10K just last week.

Mestler, a native of Eugene, Ore, joins the Bulldogs after four years at University of Oregon, the last two of which she spent as a fixture on the Ducks' travel squads for both cross country and track and a member of two teams that reached the national championship race in cross country. A redshirt junior this spring, she comes to GU with one year of eligibility.

 As part of Oregon's cross country team that advanced to NCAA Nationals last fall, she placed 167th overall with a time of 20:54.1 after running a personal best in the 6K (20:48.2) at NCAA Regionals to take 40th overall a week prior. In the outdoor season, she was one of 58 Ducks to advance to NCAA West Regionals, reaching the semifinals in the 10K and finishing 44th with a time of 36:09.49. She PR'd in the 1500m with a time of 4:30.09 at the SDSU Aztec Invitational in March.

"We're excited to have Caramia joining our program in the fall," said GU Women's Head Coach Jake Stewart. "From the time of our initial conversation and her visit to campus, she brings so much good to the program — just outstanding character. 

"She also comes to Gonzaga having a range of experiences racing at the highest levels in the NCAA," Stewart said. "Those two attributes, among so many others of hers, makes us excited for her to be a part of our team."