Western Oregon Journal

The 2004 season was a tale of two different cross country squads.  The men’s team relied heavily on upperclassmen, especially seniors, on its way to fourth place in the GNAC meet and a best-ever sixth place finish at Regionals.  The women’s squad, conversely, featured just two seniors to ever run in the top five this season and many newcomers.  Despite their relative inexperience, the ladies placed seventh in the conference and 17^th at Regionals.

Senior Ethan Barrons emerged as a reliable leader for the men, racing his way to third in the conference for all-GNAC honors and 17^th at Regionals.  Fellow senior Chase Wells was also a steady contributor, also earning all-GNAC honors with a ninth-place finish.  He added a 19^th place-showing at Regionals.

On the women’s side, Leah Trutna had her best season at Western, leading the women’s squad in three of its five races, including a best-ever 11^th place finish at the conference meet.  Stephanie Upshaw raced her way to 13^th in the conference meet.

Barrons, Cary Costa, Nick Crawford, Felipe Jasso and Spencer Walsh were named to the GNAC All-Academic Team for the men, while Rachel Daniels, Jennifer Smith and Trutna earned All-Academic nods for the women.

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