The undefeated women's team, ranked No. 2 in the region and No. 5 in the nation, upset No. 1/2 Chico State for UAA's first West Region title by either Seawolf squad. The Seawolves placed all five runners in the top 15 for a program-best 35 points on the Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow course.

Chico State finished second with 58 points, while Great Northwest Athletic Conference foes Seattle Pacific (75) and Western Washington (121) placed third and fourth, respectively, earning each a bid to nationals.

Prior to today, the highest placing for UAA's women was third - accomplished on three occasions (2008, 2005, 2004), while the men's best finish was second, registered last season.

Paced by junior and Unalaska native Hallidie Wilt in third place with a time of 21 minutes, 11.5 seconds, all five Seawolf scorers finished within 35 seconds of each other for the title and All-West Region honors. Sophomore Ruth Keino (4^th, 21:11.8) and freshman Miriam Kipngeno (5^th, 21:17.9) rounded out the top 5, while senior Laura Carr (21:30.3) and sophomore Shoshana Keegan (21:45.7) placed 9th and 14^th, respectively, in the 6K race.

Carr became the first Seawolf woman to post three All-West Region honors (2009, 2008, and 2006).

Also running for the women's team was junior Emma Bohman (26^th, 22:19.7) and sophomore Ariel Roelle (39^th, 22:54.5).

"I'm continually impressed with the women's team," said 20th-year head coach Michael Friess, "We came into the meet looking to qualify for nationals and that's what we did. We ran relaxed, strong, and with great enthusiasm, and came out on top. I was really impressed with how Wilt performed. She ran extremely well."

"I came out more conservative than I usually do," said Wilt. "It paid off and I had a good race. As a team, we pushed each other and ran as a pack. We will continue to work hard and hopfeully be successful at Nationals."

On the men's side, Cheseto (Kapenguria, Kenya) raced to an individual title in a time of 30:42 seconds in the 10K race after finishing runner-up last season. Cheseto led the Seawolves -- who entered the meet ranked 4th regionally and 22nd nationally -- to third place with 96 points, earning the region's final NCAA berth on the men's side. Also earning trips were Chico State in first with 42 points, and Western Washington in second (74).

Freshman Micah Chelimo and sophomore Alfred Kangogo each finished in the top 15 to claim All-West Region honors. Chelimo completed the race in third place in a time of 31:05, while Kangogo was 10^th, crossing the line at 31:35.

Rounding out the UAA scorers were senior Paul Rottich (37^th, 33:04), and sophomore Michael Adams (47^th, 33:32.7), an Anchorage native. Also running for the Seawolves were freshmen Thomas Hill (72^nd , 34:30) and William Estes (74th, 34:33.6).

"On the men's side it was a tighter situation," said Friess. "They basically had to run with their hair on fire to get to Nationals, and with Cheseto leading the way, they did just that."

"I had a good race, but this is a team sport and we all stepped up and did what needed to be done," said Cheseto.

Both teams secured their second consecutive NCAA Championships trip. It will be the sixth all-time for the men, while the women will be making their fourth appearance at Nationals. The meet will take place on Nov. 21 in Evansville, Ind.