The University of Idaho Vandals will compete Friday, November 13, at the NCAA West Regional Championships in Sacramento, California.
The women’s 6K race is scheduled for 9 a.m. Pacific time, followed by the men’s 10K at 10 a.m.
“We are excited to embark on the NCAA West Regional Championships in Sacramento this Friday,” the University of Idaho coach said.
Women’s Race
Idaho’s women are seeking a national-championship bid after earning a bronze-medal finish in Arizona two weeks ago. The women’s lineup includes Constanze Paoli, Alex Terry, Jesse Redding, Mary Nakamura, Malia Chipouras, Micah Redding and Pia Kircher.
Paoli and Terry have previously finished among the top 10 at Regionals. Paoli posted a 5K personal record of 16:09.8 and is ranked 23rd nationally in Division I cross country and first in the West Region. Terry recorded a 5K personal record of 16:32.6 and ranks third in the region.
Kircher has competed in four meets for Idaho this season.
Men’s Race
Zac Knapp is expected to lead Idaho’s men after finishing first for the Vandals in each of their past three meets. Miles Lechtenberg stayed close to Knapp through most of the regular season, while Ralston Graves replaced Lechtenberg at the Conference Championships.
Conor Thompson was Idaho’s third finisher at the Big Sky Championships and the team’s only man to record a new personal record. The men’s roster also includes Tyler Graff, James Hodgson and Luca Wagner.
The NCAA will automatically qualify the top two teams from each region for the national championships. Fourteen additional teams will receive at-large selections, bringing the field to 32 teams. The first four individual finishers who are not members of qualifying teams also receive automatic bids, provided they finish in the top 25.
If Idaho qualifies, the 2026 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will be held November 21 in Terre Haute, Indiana.