Orton named WCC Runner of the Month

SAN MATEO, Calif. – BYU women’s cross country runner Whittni Orton was named September West Coast Conference Women’s Runner of the Month, the league announced on Friday.

Orton claimed her fifth career first-place finish as she clocked a time of 20:16.8 in the women’s 6K at the FSU XC Open in Tallahassee, Florida on Sept. 17.

The senior from Panguitch, Utah led or ran in the front of the pack for the entirety of the race and guided BYU to a team win as well. With her performance at Florida State, Orton was recognized as USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week on Sept. 20.

This marks back-to-back seasons in which Orton has garnered the WCC's monthly award. Orton was named WCC Women's Runner of the Month in October 2020 following an individual win at the Oklahoma State Invitational. 

Orton and the Cougars return to action at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational in Verona, Wisconsin on Friday, Oct. 15 at 12:20 p.m. CDT.