The Argos are coming off a successful 2007-08 season after qualifying the first individual runner in UGF history to the NAIA National Cross-Country Meet in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Freshman female athlete, Alejandra Borunda, qualified for the national cross-country meet as an individual and placed 66th overall.

The head coach, Jim Brewer, is a former All-American cross-country competitor for Western Washington University with 8 years of collegiate coaching experience. The head assistant coach, Jim’s wife Rachel Brewer, is a former two-time NCAA Division I Nationals qualifier for Northern Arizona University in the distance events. Finally, the Argonaut’s graduate assistant coach from Western Washington University, Casey Barten, rounds out the coaching staff with recent collegiate racing experience as a competitive 10,000 meter runner at the NCAA Division II level.

The combined men’s and women’s program at UGF has the advantage of training at 3,674 feet elevation throughout the season in addition to their pre-season cross-country team camp near the Rockies in mid-August. The Argonaut athletes have been busy all summer putting in mileage and building their running base for the upcoming competitive season. The 2008 cross-country season features races and invitationals throughout Montana, Idaho, and Washington. The athletes will also compete in various track races throughout the spring in South Dakota, Montana, and Washington to finish up the school year.

Key returning athletes for the Argonaut running team include Melissa Barcroft, Jared Reyes, Moses Leavens, Amanda Mah, Zachary Liedtke, and Jessica Barber. Their excitement, experience, and leadership will be important factors for the upcoming season.  The coaching staff is also looking to newcomers Shane Donaldsen, Chris Alejandro, Chris Holcombe, Cullen Cantwell, Mark Hardin, Max Willis, and Daniel Lantz to provide an immediate impact to the men’s team. On the women’s side, new recruits Kaneesha Benson, Jenni Hill, Brandi Barber, Tiffani Gibson, and Alisha White are expected to contribute additional depth to the team.

We strongly believe that the combination of our experienced returning runners and our outstanding recruiting class will make for an unforgettable season of personal records, team bonding, and continued traditions!