Fresno, CA ? Utah State won both the men and women’s titles at the 2006 WAC Cross Country Championship at Woodward Park in Fresno, Calif. It was the first time since 1999, when Rice captured both crowns, that the titles have been swept .
Boise State’s senior All-American Forest Braden won his first men’s cross country title with a time of 24:15. Utah State senior Vance Twitchell was second with a time of 24:43, followed by Boise State senior Ty Axtman with a time of 24:51. Braden became the first Bronco to capture a cross country title. His time was a Woodward Park course record. Braden was named WAC Runner of the Year.
For the second-straight year, the Utah State men dominated the 8K race. With 26 points, the Aggies topped second place Boise State, which finished with 37 points. Last year, Utah State won the title with a WAC-record 16 points. Utah State had five of the top 10 finishers. Idaho finished third with 80 points.
Idaho’s Rhea Richter won the women’s 5k with a time of 17:33.2. She is the second-straight Vandal to capture the title after Dee Olson won the title in 2005. Utah State had three runners finish in the top 10. Nevada’s Charlotte Schonbeck was second with a time of 17:41.4, while San Jose State’s Tiffany Hall was third with a time of 17:49.7. Richter also became the second-straight Vandal to garner WAC Runner of the Year honors.
Utah State head coach Gregg Gensel was named both the men and women’s WAC Cross Country Coach of the Year. Gensel earned men’s Coach of the Year honors last season.
Men’s 8k Results
Team Points
1. Utah State 26
2. Boise State 37
3. Idaho 80
4. Louisiana Tech 89
5. San Jose State 140
6. Fresno State 178
7. New Mexico State 182
Men’s Honors
WAC Runner of the Year: Forest Braden, Boise State
WAC Coach of the Year: Gregg Gensel, Utah State
WAC Freshman of the Year: Tony Jones, Utah State
Women’s 5k Results
Team Points
1. Utah State 63
2. Nevada 70
3. San Jose State 80
4. Idaho 91
5. Fresno State 109
6. Boise State 117
7. New Mexico State 136
8. Hawai`i 192
9. Louisiana Tech 288
Women’s Honors
WAC Runner of the Year: Rhea Richter, Idaho
WAC Coach of the Year: Gregg Gensel, Utah State
WAC Freshman of the Year: Rhea Richter, Idaho