Gonzaga Men's and Women's Cross Country followed up a historic national rankings released this morning with a strong presence in the West Coast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, with both programs picked to finish second in the conference and a total of six Preseason All-WCC selections.

The GU men, ranked a program-best No. 16 in the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll released this morning, received two first-place votes in the WCC poll for second behind BYU, which received six. Third-place Portland received one vote as well. The Bulldogs got four Preseason All-WCC runners in Yacine Guermali, Cullen McEachern, Wil Smith and James Mwaura. McEachern, Smith and Mwaura were All-West finishers in 2021, with Mwaura finishing as an All-American at nationals.

Kristen Garcia and Alicia Anderson rounded out the selections for the GU women, who also were slated to finish second behind BYU. Garcia is looking for her third-straight All-WCC finish after qualifying for nationals as an individual last fall, and during outdoor track season both qualified for NCAA Regionals and reached the semifinals.

Head Coach Jake Stewart's squad was also ranked a program-best No. 23 in this morning's national poll, making GU one of just 17 schools in D-I with both teams ranked.  The men's and women's programs were ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the USTCCCA's West Region rankings released on Tuesday.

2022 WCC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll

2022 WCC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll

RETURNERS FROM A HISTORIC 2021

The GU women placed second as a team at the West Coast Conference Championships and fourth at NCAA West Regionals last fall, but were one of the first teams out for an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships. Head Coach Jake Stewart's squad reached a program-best of No. 3 in the West that fall after the Zags' strong showing at a stacked Nuttycombe (21st overall) and at WCC's. 

Along with three-time nationals competitor Kristen Garcia, GU returns five of its top seven from 2021 and adds six freshmen and two transfers, including another runner with nationals experience in Caramia Mestler (Oregon). In the spring, Garcia (10K) and fellow returner Alicia Anderson (5K, 1500m) both qualified for NCAA Regionals and reached the semifinals for their events.

The Zag men are coming off their second-straight NCAA Championships appearance as a team after making it for the first time under Pat Tyson in spring of 2021, and return plenty of experience as well. 

Led by 2021 All-American James Mwaura, the program record holder in both the 8K and 10K, GU brings back five runners who hold one of the 10 fastest times in program history in both distances and six of their top seven from nationals, including 2021 All-West Region finishers Wil Smith and Cullen McEachern.

SEASON OPENER ON DECK

Both teams are set to kick off their fall season Thursday at Clash of the Inland Northwest in Cheney, which the Bulldogs have swept twice in a row. The men's race is set for 9 a.m. with the women's set for 9:45 a.m. Check GoZags.com for live results and follow @ZagRunning on Twitter and IG for more.