SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Gonzaga men's cross country was voted as a favorite to win the West Coast Conference when the league released their Preseason Coaches Poll on Friday. Tying atop the poll with Portland at 46 points and four first-place votes, this is the first time in program history that the men were selected to finish first.
Earlier Friday, the Gonzaga women were also picked to win the West Coast Conference, marking the first time in program history that both teams were voted number one. Prior to this year, neither team had ever been selected higher than second in the WCC Preseason Polls.
In addition to being voted as a team favorite, four Zag men's runners were selected to the WCC Preseason Team.
Wil Smith picked up his fourth straight preseason nod, and looks to finish among the top of the conference again after placing third at last year's WCC Championships.
Bryce Cerkowniak, a First Team All-WCC finisher and
Drew Kolodge, a Second Team All-WCC finisher last season also earned preseason honors.
Reigning WCC Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-WCC finisher last season
Logan Law was the final selection of Zags to the conference's preseason team on Friday. This year, the Zags return eight of their ten athletes from last year's WCC Championships. Along with Smith, Cerkowniak, Kolodge, and Law,
Paul Talens,
Cooper Laird,
Ansel Tucker, and
Jerry Mackie will all return this fall as the men look to defend their first ever WCC Championship title.
That same core will hope to lead the Zags to their fifth straight NCAA Championships appearance this season. Since 2019, the Gonzaga men have appeared in every nationals meet as a team, earning automatic bids in each of the past two seasons.
The men's and women's teams will kick off their 2024 campaign next Friday at the Clash of the Inland Northwest, where GU earned a program-wide sweep at last year's meet. The men will aim to capture their eighth straight team title, while the women hope to win their fourth title in the last five years.
2024 WCC Men's Cross Country Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (first-place votes) |
Points |
| 1 |
Gonzaga (4) |
46 |
| 1 |
Portland (4) |
46 |
| 3 |
Santa Clara |
36 |
| 4 |
Washington State |
32 |
| 5 |
San Francisco |
24 |
| 6 |
Saint Mary's |
18 |
| 7 |
Pepperdine |
15 |
| 8 |
San Diego |
7 |
2024 WCC Men's Cross Country Preseason Team
| Athlete |
School |
| Brian Barsaiya |
Washington State |
| Jona Bodirsky |
Portland |
| Bryce Cerkowniak |
Gonzaga |
| Drew Kolodge |
Gonzaga |
| Evans Kurui |
Washington State |
| Logan Law |
Gonzaga |
| Kelvin Limo |
Washington State |
| Bradley Peloquin |
Portland |
| Wil Smith |
Gonzaga |
| Matt Strangio |
Portland |
