SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – For the first time in program history, Gonzaga’s women’s cross country team was named the West Coast Conference champion. The results of the conference’s Preseason Coaches Poll were released Friday, with head coach Jake Stewart‘s team at the top. The Zags received seven first-place finishes and collected 76 points ahead of Portland, which received two first-place finishes and 70 points.

In addition, four Bulldog runners were selected for the WCC Preseason Team. Rosina Machuthe reigning WCC champion and 2023 USTFCCCA All-American, earned her second consecutive preseason honor and looks to defend her WCC title later this season. In addition, the 2023 First Team All-WCC finishers Sadie Tuckwood And Jessica Frydenlund earned recognition in the preseason and Willow Collins In her first cross-country season for the Zags, she received an award herself.

Last season, the Gonzaga women were just six points shy of finishing second to Portland at the West Coast Conference Championships, while Machu dominated, winning by 24 seconds to secure the title.

This season, Stewart’s team returns seven of the ten athletes who competed in last year’s WCC Championships. Behind Machu, Tuckwood and Frydenlund are Alexi Fogo, Anna GrabowskiMaria Taggi Padró and Jade Rypkemaall of whom gained valuable postseason experience at last year’s competition. Of the 85 individual competitors, all ten Gonzaga runners finished in the top 30, demonstrating an impressive team effort.

The men’s and women’s teams will begin their 2024 seasons next Friday at the Clash of the Inland Northwest, where GU earned a program-wide sweep last year. The men will look to capture their eighth consecutive team title, while the women hope to win their fourth title in the last five years.

2024 WCC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Poll

2024 WCC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Team