Otters Earn Hardware At CCAA Cross Country Championship

November 03, 2018 | By: By Kevin Gilmore (@OtterKevin)

Roy Named Freshman of the Year, Phillips Named Championship Scholar

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay cross country teams will be brining some hardware back to campus after winning a pair of awards Saturday at the CCAA Championship Meet. Brooke Roy (Camus [Wash.] HS) was named the CCAA Women's Freshman of the Year while sophomore Logan Phillips (Tigard, Ore./Jesuit HS) was named the CCAA Champion Scholar.

Roy earned her award as the top finishing freshman at the meet. She placed 22nd overall in the 122–runner field. Her time of 22:37.0 was the second fastest 6K of her career and the second fastest by an Otter this season.

"I was caught off guard when hearing my name get called, but I'm honored to have received the award," said Roy. "I am very thankful to have my family, teammates and coaches there to support me through my first season as an Otter and I'm excited to continue working with such a talented and hard–working group of people."

Phillips earned his trophy for his work in the classroom as well as on the course. The CCAA Championship Scholar Award recognizes the academic and athletic achievement of the student–athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Championship Scholar Award is presented to the student–athlete with the highest cumulative grade–point average participating at the final CCAA championship site in each conference–sponsored sport.

"It can be difficult balancing school and athletics," said Phillips. "This award was an unexpected payoff for lost sleep and tired feet."

As a runner, Phillips has been in the Otter top five all season. In the classroom, he carries a 3.93 GPA as social and behavioral science major. He joins golfer Maximilian Grieb as Otters who have won the award since its inception in 2017.

"I'm so happy for Brooke and Logan. Both are wonderful examples of what a student–athlete truly is in the NCAA," said CSUMB Head Coach Greg Rhines. "Both of them work hard in their sport and in their academics. Those efforts resulted in two more firsts for CSUMB cross country."

As for the races proper, senior Hadley Clark (Tamalpias HS) joined Roy in the top half of the field by finishing 45th overall in 23:19.6. Junior Alex Baron (San Jose/Prospect HS) missed joining Roy and Clark by seconds, finishing in 70th at 24:06.9.

Kaitlyn Wood (Simi Valley HS) and Ashlyn Barajas (Eastvale/Ayala HS) closed the Otter scoring by placing 86th and 87th respectively, leading CSUMB to a 10th place team finish.

The Otter men used a tight grouping at the top to finish ninth in the team standings. Freshman Nathan Garcia (El Centro/Southwest HS) led CSUMB for the third time in five races this season by finishing 50th in an 8K PR of 26:31.1. Senior Matt Morris (Casa Roble HS/American River College) finished right on Garcia's heels in 51st place at 26:32.1.

Freshman Joel Swiatkowski (Long Beach/Milikan HS) also ran his 8K PR with a 26:40.2 to place 55th. Zak Strader (Valencia HS/College of the Canyons) and Joseph Silva (Sanger HS) finished 63rd and 69th to close the CSUMB scoring. Silva's time of 27:32.0 also was a personal best.

The Otter cross country teams will take next week off from competition as they prepare for the NCAA West Regional Championship Meet Nov. 17 at Amend Park in Billings, Mont.

GO OTTERS!

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