DENVER - Seattle University's Erik Barkhaus and New Mexico State's Courtney Schultz have been named the Western Athletic Conference men's and women's Cross Country Athletes of the Week, respectively, for Aug. 27 - Sept. 2.
Barkhaus, a redshirt senior from Whitefish Bay, Wis. (Whitefish Bay HS), placed first individually at the UW/SU Open race in Seattle this past Friday. Barkhaus earned the top spot in the Redhawks season opening 4.5 mile race, crossing the finish line in 22:22.28. Barkhaus finished just .49 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. Barkhaus improved his time by 11 seconds compared to his 2011 race. Barkhaus competed the 2011 season competing mostly as an unattached runner. The UW/SU Open was his first race representing the Redhawks since the 2010 Great West Conference Championships.
Schultz, a senior from Cloudcroft, N.M. (Cloudcroft HS), won the Lobo Invitational individual title in the Aggies first race of the 2012 season, finishing the 5K course in 18:11.9. Schultz, the 2011 WAC Champion, edged out her sister Camille by 4.8 seconds for the races top spot.
Other Men's Nominees: Jeff Osborn, Idaho; Jonah Ruybalid, New Mexico State; Kyle McKenna, Utah State.
Other Women's Nominees: Halie Raudenbush, Idaho; Hannah Mittelstaedt, Seattle; Esperanza Lopez, Texas State; Alex Litzsinger, Utah State.
