Women's cross country team heads to nationals

The lady Zags are going to the "Big Dance" for the first time in history! Along with Matthew Crichlow of the men’s side, the ladies will be racing on Saturday, November 21, in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Zags placed sixth at regionals with the lowest point total in program history (cross country is like golf, low = good). They also moved up in the national polls and are entering the race on Saturday as the 27th ranked team in the nation!

Gonzaga an at large bid. For cross country, they take the top two teams in each region and then the rest get in based on a point system. Gonzaga placed No. 6 in the region and it was expected that the top five teams from the region would get an invitation to nationals. The ladies knew that the chances of them getting in were very slim.

On Saturday morning they went for their long run and afterwards ate breakfast at their assistant coaches house. There, they watched the computer and hit refresh all morning until the at large bids were posted. Fifth year senior Erin Bergmann told us when they saw their name on the list, half the team erupted in screams while the other half sat there stunned, and for many of them they are still waiting for it to sink in! Beating BYU in the WCC Championships, who has beaten many ranked teams this year, seemed to be the thing that pushed them over the edge to get in.

The race will be broadcast online at 9:00 am on Saturday. ZAG-UP!