Clark College sophomore Sam Garvin capped a stellar cross country season on Saturday by winning the NWAC Championship.
Garvin, a Mountain View grad, covered the 8K course at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey in 25 minutes, 47.4 seconds.
It is the second year in a row a Clark athlete claimed the NWAC title. James Breen was the 2015 champion.
In the women’s race, Cassie McKinney became the highest Clark placer since 2004 by finishing third overall.
The Union High grad ran the 5K course in 19:26.5 and earned All-American status.
Lexi Healy of Lane won in 19:00.2, and Kaylee Marquardt of Spokane was second in 19:16.5.
Garvin was honored as the NWAC athlete of the week in consecutive weeks this season, and owns the school record.
He ran 5:11 mile pace during the NWAC Championship and won by 3 1/2 seconds over Michael Martin of Lane. Garvin also earned All-American status.
The Penguins were fifth out of 11 teams with 98 points. Lane won the men’s title with 46 points, edging out Spokane’s 49.
Also for scoring for Clark were Thomas Normandeau, a Washougal grad, in 13th (27:06.6), Daniel Soriano in 26th (27:45.6), Dan Nehnevaj in 28th (27:53.3), and Justin Knowles, a Skyview grad, in 30th (27:59.8).
Rounding out the team was Zach Kanelis, a Union grad, in 38th (28:28.8), Doug Paresa, a Prairie grad, in 50th (28:57.0), and Brandon Reyes, a Union grad, in 65th (30:27.9).
The Clark women had just four runners and did not score as a team.
Sadie Dalgleish was eighth overall (20:41.8), Aislynn Hansen 15th (20:58.1), and Jovi Asa 28th (21:48.8).
Spokane won the women’s team title with 31 points with Everett second with 73.
