The Northwest Conference is proud to announce its Student-Athletes of the Week in Cross Country for the week of October 1st through October 7th.
Women’s Cross Country - Student-Athlete of the Week
Riley Buese I Lewis & Clark | SR | Denver, Colo. | Northfield
Buese finished first among NWC runners and sixth overall in Friday's NCAA DIII Pre-Nationals Meet in Terra Haute, Indiana. The Pioneers senior ran in the lead pack throughout the race and was sitting second overall after 4K and third after 5K. She crossed the line in 21:42.5 to finish nearly five seconds ahead of the top-finisher for George Fox University. Two of the five runners who placed ahead of Buese were 2023 NCAA DIII Cross Country All-Americans and a third won the National Championship in the 5K at Outdoor Track & Field last Spring.
Men’s Cross Country - Student-Athlete of the Week
Austin Gappa I George Fox | SR | Snoqualmie, Wash. | Mount Si
Gappa was the top finisher for the NWC at the D-III National Preview meet this weekend in Terre Haute, Ind.. His time of 24:41 was eighth overall in the national field and puts him into the conversation for All American honors come November. The senior helped the No. 10-ranked Bruins finish third in a field of 46 teams — eight of which were ranked in the USTFCCCA poll.