Western cross country competed in challenging conditions at the NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The women's team placed 20th overall in a field of 34 teams, led by sophomore Jane Barr and junior Sophia Galvez who finished side by side for 65th and 66th place. The men's team placed 26th overall, led by sophomore Eric Hamel who placed 58th out of 261 total runners.
Men’s basketball won their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference game on Thursday, Nov. 29, against Concordia University. The Vikings finished 83-66 with a dominant performance from junior forward Trevor Jasinsky, who led the team with 24 points. On Saturday, Dec. 1, the Vikings played a tough game against Western Oregon University, eventually falling to a 88-96 loss after two rounds of overtime. The Vikings are now 6-2 overall and 1-1 in the GNAC. On Saturday, Dec. 8, they will take on Columbia Bible College at home in Sam Carver Gymnasium at 5 p.m.
Women’s basketball also won their first GNAC opener, 70-62, on the road against Simon Fraser University on Nov. 27. The game pushed the Vikings’ record to 5-2 and marked their fourth consecutive win. On Saturday, Dec. 1, the Vikings took down Montana State University, Billings 63-57, increasing their overall standing to 6-2 and 2-0 within the GNAC. Junior center Anna Schwecke was named GNAC Player of the Week after her performances in the two wins, scoring 44 points and tallying up 27 rebounds. Next up, the Vikings will take on Lubbock Christian University at Carver Gym on Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Women’s volleyball’s relentless march during the 2018 season has come to a close as they finished the triumphant season one win short of a national title. After 30 straight wins, the Vikings lost to Tampa University 2-3, returning home with a national runner-up trophy, the second in program history. The Vikings’ 30-4 season tied for the third most wins in program history. For the first time ever, four vikings were named American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Americans this season: senior outside hitter Abby Phelps, junior middle Kayleigh Harper, senior setter Brette Boesel and senior libero Audrey Stephens.
