BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University cross country teams had 13 student-athletes recognized for their academic performances by being named to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Academic Teams, announced last Friday by the conference office in Portland, Ore.

The Vikings had eight women and five men honored, including two student-athletes earning All-GNAC Academic awards for the third time in their careers and one two-time honoree.

Seniors Andrew Wise (Denver, CO/East) and Alexandra Laiblin (Oak Harbor, WA) were recognized for the third time in their careers. Wise became the sixth WWU men’s cross country student-athlete to earn the distinction three times in a career, while Laiblin became the 14th WWU women’s cross country student-athlete to be honored three times in a career. Senior Maddy Hutchison (Snoqualmie, WA/Mount Si) earned the honor for the second consecutive season.

In addition to Wise, junior Kyler Sager (Snohomish, WA/Everett CC) along with sophomores Peter Butler (Port Angeles, WA), Liam Cossette (Spokane, WA/Ferris) and Colton Pulver (Wasilla, AK) were named to the GNAC All-Academic Team during the first year in which each student-athlete was eligible for the award.

Laiblin and Hutchison were joined on the GNAC All-Academic Team by six Vikings eligible to earn the honor for the first time. Sophomores Talia Dreicer (Los Alamos, NM), Aundrea Koger (Osage City, KS), Tracy Melville (Lamont, WA/Lind-Ritzville/Sprague), Peyton Shinnick (Maple Valley, WA/Tahoma), Waverly Shreffler (Sequim, WA) and Nicole Vijgen (Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak) were each named to the team.

To earn selection to the GNAC All-Academic Team, student-athletes must have a 3.20 cumulative grade point average or better, be of sophomore standing or higher and be in at least their second season of competition. Per conference rules, freshmen, redshirt freshmen and first-year transfers are not eligible.

The Western Washington cross country teams recently concluded the 2017 season at the NCAA II West Regional Championships in Monmouth, Ore., with both teams placing 8th in their respective races.