PacWest Conference Cross Country Weekly Awards (Oct. 4)

IRVINE, Calif. -- Once again guiding Academy of Art University men's cross country to a impressive team performance at the Capital Cross Challenge on Oct. 1, graduate student Joshua Thorson was named Pacific West Conference Runner of the Week and Marvin Thomas garnered PacWest Freshman of the Week. The awards are based on races Sept. 26- Oct. 2.

Out at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex for the Saturday morning 8k race, Thorson led for a portion and remained in the front pack all the way to fourth overall. He was less than 20 seconds off the individual victor, posting a season-best 23:49.1 significantly lower than his 25:10.5 in his Academy of Art debut back on Sept. 3.

Thomas also turned in a season-best 8k time of 25:58.2 as the fifth contributor to ART U's sixth place team score. He finished 115th and was the highest finishing freshman from the PacWest Conference as well as the third-highest freshman to finish among Division II schools.

This is the third PacWest Runner of the Week honor for Thorson this season and the second PacWest Freshman of the Week for Thomas in as many races.