FERNDALE, Wash. - The Alaska Nanooks cross country team is set to be hosted by Western Washington University on Saturday for the annual Bill Roe Classic. The women are set to hit the Hovander Park trails at 9 a.m. with the men following immediately after at 10 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Bill Roe Classic | Women's 9 a.m. | Men's 10 a.m.
Ferndale, WA | Hovander Park Trails
Live Timing
At Last Lap
The 'Nooks are on the road this week, and looking to redeem team wins after their last showing at this year's Blue & Gold race. While team redemption goals ring sweet, the individual victories of Lucca Duke and Dexter Delaney are still in the minds of many, proving them to be runners to watch as they enter the weekend.
Placing in women's, Duke expertly showed a strong start to her sophomore season running a 23:15 on the 6k course. On the men's side, freshman Delaney showed no fear in his home collegiate debut, running a 25:48 in the 8k.
Something to Prove
Bill Roe's host, the Vikings of Western Washington are proving to be of strength this season, with the men's team ranking third in the west region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The USTFCCCA has also ranked the Viking's men at 16 in their National Coaches' Poll, proving this weekend's matchup will be one to watch!
The Vikings found themselves ranked first in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll earlier this season, with the Nanooks ranking fourth among the ten teams.
Weekend Watchlist
It's no secret that your women's runner to watch going into the weekend is Duke, who looks to be of strength against the top women's runner for WWU, Jill Philbin. Alongside Duke, Riga Grubis has proven herself to shine in her times at the Seawolf Throwdown just two weeks ago, running a 24:18 in 6k.
The freshest in blue and gold, Delaney has all eyes on him as Bill Roe nears, with his standout performance during Blue & Gold, and his third-place finish at the Seawolf Throwdown. His podium finish was earned after he ran a 23:45 in the men's 8k in rival territory.
Promoted to Head
As of September 15th, 2025 the Nanooks cross country teams are now under the Head authority of Conrad Haber. Haber has stepped into this role with previous experience as the Assistant Head Coach for the last two seasons, taking the place of Eliska Albritsen who spent six years with the program.
Albritsen has recently accepted a Head Nordic Ski Coach at the University of Denver.
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