LAKEWOOD, Wash. - Whitney Rich dominated the field, as did her Whitman College women's cross country teammates en route to individual and team titles for the Blues at the 2019 Northwest Conference Cross Country Championships held Saturday at Fort Steilacoom Park.

The men's team came in fifth in the 8K race led by Maamoon Saleh's 13th-place finish.

The women's title was the first in two decades. Rich was named runner of the year award and Scott Shields was named NWC coach of the year. Five Whitman runners were named all-conference including Saleh on the men's side and Rich and Kristen Wanke for the women who each received the recognition for the first time.

Backing Rich (21:35.20) were Wanke (22.58.20) who finished sixth and Chloe Michaels (22.13.30) who was the 11th runner to cross the line. Rich topped Whitworth's Becky George by nearly 45 seconds, continuing to make her case as the league and region's top runner.

Rounding out the top 20 for the Blues was Bryn Carlson (23:29.80) with Ella Greenburg running her 6K in 23:45.20 good for 21st.

On the men's side after Saleh, Gabe Wasserman cracked the top 20, placing 19th with a time of 26:37.60. Eli Fournier, still working his way back from injury, placed 26th (26.51.20).

Both squads now look toward the NCAA West Regional Championships which takes place in Claremont, Calif. On Saturday, Nov. 16.