The Everett Community College men’s cross country team won the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges championship on Saturday, the Trojans’ second title in three years.
Everett, which placed three runners in the top 10, edged Lane College, 50-52, in the race at Lewisville Park in Battle Ground.
Everett coach Matt Koenigs said his runners “finished very strong over the last mile to overcome what looked like a significant deficit to Lane Community College in the closing stages of the race.”
Mason Nicol from Lake Stevens was the Trojans’ top finisher. He placed fourth overall in a time of 24 minutes, 35 seconds to earn All-NWAACC and All-American honors. Keefe Hanson also earned All-NWAACC and All-American honors by placing seventh in 24:54.
Hanson was part of Everett’s 2011 championship team, making him “the only male athlete in EvCC history to have been a part of more than one team championship,” Koenigs said.
Daniel Schofield of Spokane won the men’s race in 24:20.
Everett’s other finishers were Kris Mugrage, ninth in 25:02 (All-NWAACC honors); Mohammud Abdi, 13th in 25:12; Mark Garcia, 17th in 25:31; Mitch Beard, 24th in 25:44, and Jeffery Ott, 29th in 26:07.
“This was one of the most fun and exciting races that I have been a part of whether as an athlete or a coach,” Koenigs said. “I am so proud of what these men have accomplished this season and not because they won a championship, but because of their commitment to excellence, period. … I am so grateful to have been able to work with such a wonderful group this season.”
The Everett women placed second, the seventh straight year they have earned a spot on the podium. Spokane won the team title with 39 points. Everett finished second with 43 points.
Chelsea Stokes, a graduate of Lakewood High School, led three Everett runners who finished in the top 10. Stokes placed third in 18:54, Alisha Luna was fourth in 18:57 and Katelynn Horn finished ninth in 19:39. Stokes and Luna earned All-American and All-NWAACC honors. Horn captured All-NWAACC recognition.
Jessica Mildes of Spokane won the women’s race in 17:51.
Other finishers for Everett were Kelly Egge, 13th in 19:50; Alyssa Jordan, 14th in 19:51; Marlee Rothschild, 22nd in 20:20, and Cassidy Brown, 24th in 20:24.
“These ladies ran their hearts out and gave everything they had … and I could not be more proud of them,” Koenigs said.
Koenigs was named the 2013 NWAACC Men’s Coach of the Year, but deflected the praise to his staff.
“We made a critical addition to our staff/coaching team this year when we brought Frank Dauncey on board — he was more than an assistant and deserves so much of the credit for (Saturday’s) performances,” Koenigs said in an e-mail. “I may have received Men’s Coach of the Year honors because I hold the title of head coach, but I think he is far more deserving of the award than I am and this was certainly not possible without the work that he put in with these squads.”
Makela makes second team
Soccer player Emma “Bubba” Makela was named last week to the All-Conference USA second team.
Makela, a graduate of Kamiak High School, is a freshman goalkeeper for the University of Texas San Antonio. She also was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.
Makela started 18 of the Roadrunners’ 19 matches this fall. She recorded six shutouts, posted a 1.24 goals-against average and ranked second in the conference with 90 saves. She twice was named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week.
Boerger honored
Western Washington University volleyball player Emily Boerger has been named to the Academic All-District 8 first team.
Boerger, a senior middle blocker from Marysville, has a 3.89 grade-point average as an anthropology and biology major. On the court, she averages 2.23 kills and 0.98 blocks per game, and ranks in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in hitting at .350.
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