DENVER – Grand Canyon’s Patrick Hardwick and Kansas City’s Courtney Frerichs have been named the Western Athletic Conference men’s and women’s Cross Country Athletes of the Week, respectively, for Sept. 30-Oct. 6.
Hardwick, sophomore from Gilbert, Ariz. (Perry HS), was the top-finisher for the ‘Lopes at the GCU Invitational, taking third overall among a field of 57 competitors with a time of 26:54.8 in the 8K race. Hardwick has now been the top or second-best finisher for GCU in all three meets this season. He improved upon his time from the same meet last year by nearly 30 seconds.
Frerichs, a sophomore from Nixa, Mo. (Nixa HS), won the gold race at the Notre Dame Invitational on Oct. 4. The sophomore was first out of 212 competitors and her 5K time of 17:18.2 is a new school record. Frerichs won the race by over three seconds ahead of the second-place finisher and has won every race she has entered this fall. The ‘Roos placed 14th at the meet out of 26 teams. This is Frerichs' second WAC Athlete of the Week selection this year.
Other Men’s Nominees: Cody Helbling, Idaho … Hab Rubio, New Mexico State … Gus Arroyo, Seattle U … Jason Lynch, Utah Valley.
Other Women’s Nominees: Kelsi Klotter, Grand Canyon … Halie Raudenbush, Idaho … Diana Hawk, New Mexico State … Lauren Hammerle, Seattle U … Darian Sharp, Utah Valley.