ARLINGTON, Texas – The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) has officially announced its 2024 University Credit Union Cross Country major award winners, celebrating a season filled with exceptional performances and significant achievements 
 
Utah Valley's Mo Guled was voted the WAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year by the conference's head coaches, while teammate Anna Martin earned WAC Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year following a top conference championships finish. Zouhair Redouane from California Baptist was named WAC Men’s Cross Country Freshman of the Year after a standout debut season, and teammate Ava Dyck from CBU earned WAC Women’s Cross Country Freshman of the Year. Also in his inaugural year with CBU, Sean Smith was voted by his peers as the WAC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. On the women’s side, Utah Valley’s Scott Houle captured WAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year accolades following his team’s historic performance at the conference championships. 
 
Guled, a senior, has enjoyed a standout season marked by multiple first-place finishes and consistently impressive times. Guled started the season strong at the UVU XC Collegiate Invitational on Aug. 30, where he won the 3-mile race in 14:13.6. Guled captured first place at the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 20, completing the 8K in 24:55.3. His remarkable form continued at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals on Oct. 19, where he dominated the field and finished the 8K B race in 23:30.8 for another individual victory. Guled added a triumphant win at the 2024 WAC Cross Country Championships on Nov. 1, clocking a time of 23:07.08 in the 8K, leading his team to a third-place finish. 
 
Redouane has enjoyed a successful debut season for CBU. Starting his collegiate journey at the Mark Covert Classic on Aug. 31, Redouane posted a competitive time of 23:45.4. He quickly found his stride by capturing first place at the 43rd Annual UCR Cross Country Invitational on Sept. 21 with an 8K time of 23:33.0. Redouane’s improvement was evident at the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational on Oct. 4, where he clocked a season best 8K of 22:45.8 to finish sixth. At the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals on Oct. 19, Redouane placed 10th with a time of 23:05.4 competing against some of the nation’s best collegiate runners. Redouane wrapped up the WAC Cross Country Championship on Nov. 1 by securing a third-place finish in 23:20.77 in the championship 8K.  
 
Smith, appointed as the head coach of CBU in July of 2024, brought significant expertise and experience to the role. Under his direction, the team earned first-place victories at the Mark Covert Classic and UCR Cross Country Invitational, followed by a strong third-place showing at the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational. The Lancers also finished ninth at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals amidst a tough field. The season culminated with CBU winning their fifth consecutive WAC Championship, showcasing an average time of 23:33.0 per runner. 
 
Martin, also a senior, has shown consistent performance throughout 2024 across several events. She began her season at the UVU XC Collegiate Invitational on Aug. 30, finishing ninth with a time of 16:38.5 in the 3-mile race. Martin then placed 12th at the Autumn Classic on Sept. 13, running the 3-mile in 15:46.0. At the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 20, she improved to 10th place in the 6K with a time of 21:55.1. Martin’s season hit a high note at the WAC Cross Country Championships on Nov. 1, winning the championship 6K in 19:51.49 to help Utah Valley defend its team title. 
 
Dyck has consistently impressed throughout her debut season, achieving several top finishes in major meets. Dyck made a significant impact right from her first collegiate races, beginning with a fifth-place finish at the 43rd Annual UCR Cross Country Invitational on Sept. 21, where she recorded a 6K time of 20:09.2. At the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals on Oct. 19, she placed 14th in the 6K with a time of 20:52.1 against top national runners. Dyck earned top conference freshman honors at the WAC Cross Country Championships on Nov. 1 after finishing 10th with a 6K time of 20:42.42. 
 
In his 21st season as head coach at Utah Valley, Houle guided the women’s cross country team to an exceptional 2024 campaign. The season kicked off with a victory at the UVU XC Collegiate Invitational, where the team averaged 16:50 per runner. The Wolverines continued to excel, placing second at the BYU Autumn Classic (47 points) and the Roy Griak Invitational (53 points). At the Utah Open, Utah Valley finished second with 49 points and an average team time of 19:28. The Wolverines clinched their second consecutive WAC Women’s Cross Country Championship with a dominant performance as the host at Lakeside Park on Nov. 1, achieving a perfect score of 15 points and an average time of 20:09 per runner in the championship 6K. 
 
2024 WAC Cross Country Awards: 
 
MEN’S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 
Mo Guled, Sr., Utah Valley 
 
MEN’S FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR 
Zouhair Redouane, California Baptist 
 
MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR 
Sean Smith, California Baptist 
 
WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 
Anna Martin, Sr., Utah Valley 
 
WOMEN’S FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR 
Ava Dyck, California Baptist 
 
WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR 
Scott Houle, Utah Valley