SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga Men's Cross Country and Track & Field Head Coach Pat Tyson announced the signing of three student-athletes on Tuesday. Nick Gargano, Sawyer Marquis, and Jeron Wisner will join the Bulldogs next fall as GU looks to continue being a dominant force in the tough NCAA West Region.

Nick Gargano | Bellingham, Wash. | Sehome HS
Gargano signs with the Bulldogs after his senior season at Sehome HS, where he led the Mariners to their second consecutive WIAA 2A state title last fall. Gargano placed second overall in 15:29.2, just one week before placing 56th at the NXR Northwest Regional Championships in Eagle, Idaho. In 2023, Gargano was also the leader for the state-champion Mariners, placing ninth overall in a Top Ten that included current Zag Hayden Roberts.
 
"I chose Gonzaga because of Coach Tyson and the great program he's built, as well as the amazing community surrounding Gonzaga. When I went on my visit and met the team, I immediately felt that this was the group I wanted to spend my next 4 years with," Gargano said. "The camaraderie on this team is incredible, and I can't wait to be a part of it. Go Zags!"
 
Tyson on Gargano: "After watching Nick at the Washington State meet this past November, I just knew he has what it takes to help the Zags," Tyson said. "Nick is smart, gritty, and a tough competitor.  He is a team guy, and we are really excited to help him reach his potential wearing the Gonzaga jersey."

Sawyer Marquis | Forest Grove, Ore. | Forest Grove HS
Marquis hails from Forest Grove HS, where he placed second at the OSAA 6A State Championships last fall. The next week, he would crack the top ten at NXR with a PR time of 15:11.9. On the track, Marquis placed in the Top 15 in two state events last spring, owning PRs of 8:24.64 in the 3,000-meters and 4:03.26 in the 1,500-meters.
 
"I chose Gonzaga because Coach Tyson has a deep understanding of the sport, and I believe with his help and the help of the other coaches and team, I will be able to become the best athlete I can be," Marquis said. "I really want to help this team chase excellence, and I believe Gonzaga's academic quality and support for student athletes will prepare me for my future career to come."
 
Tyson on Marquis: "As a runner, Sawyer's 3,000-meter time shows great potential.  On the XC course, Sawyer would place 2nd at the 6A Oregon State meet and come back a week later and place 10th at Nike Team Regional against the best in the tough Pacific Northwest Region," Tyson said. "Sawyer is also a tremendous student and will be a great fit and will develop into a major contributor for Gonzaga."

Jeron Wisner | Las Cruces, N.M. | Organ Mountain HS
Wisner signs with Gonzaga after a fourth-place finish in the 5A New Mexico State Cross Country Championships last November. After the high school season, he cracked the Top 75 at NXR Southwest in Mesa, Ariz., before a Top 50 placement at the Foot Locker XC West Regional Championships in December. On the track, Wisner owns PRs of 4:15 (1,600-meters) and 9:03 (3,200-meters), both from his junior season at Organ Mountain High School.
 
"I chose Gonzaga because the team and coaches really made me feel like I was one of them and like I belonged there," Wisner said. "I am super excited to see where these next few years take me. Go Zags!"
 
Tyson on Wisner: "Jeron is a great student and a very good distance runner. He is going to develop into a terrific runner with great range," Tyson said. "From the 1500 up through 10K, we expect great things from this young man from New Mexico."