PacWest Conference Cross Country Weekly Awards (Oct. 11)

IRVINE, Calif. -- Academy of Art University men's cross country made it four weeks with Pacific West Conference weekly awards after graduate student Joshua Thorson and freshman Marvin Thomas helped the Urban Knights finish first at the SF State Invitational on Oct. 7. Thorson's first place finish led him to be named Co-PacWest Runner of the Week while Thomas earned PacWest Freshman of the Week for the third consecutive meet in which he competed. The awards are based on races Oct. 3-9.

Up against talented runners from nine other West Region teams, Thorson ran with teammates Gatien Airiau and Pierre Fontanarosa in the front pack for the entirety of the 8k race and claimed first overall with a time of 24:50.6. He posted an average mile time of 4:59 and, after a strong kick down the stretch, crossed the line a full 12 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher.  It was Thorson's second individual win in his last three races.

Thomas completed the 8k course through Golden Gate Park in 31st overall with an average mile time of 5:27 and an overall time of 27:08.7. He was the top finishing freshman from the PacWest in the meet (sixth-highest in the overall meet).

This is the fourth PacWest Runner of the Week honor for Thorson this season and the third PacWest Freshman of the Week for Thomas.