NWAC Champion Sydnee Boothby Signs with Washington State

Story courtesy Clark College Athletics

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Clark College freshman Sydnee Boothby, who individually won the 2023 NWAC Women's Cross Country Championship, has signed to further her academic and athletic career at Washington State University. WSU, located in Pullman, Washington, finished 13th at the NCAA Division I West Region Championships in Cross Country this year. A 3.7 student, Boothby will be working toward a degree in Computer Science.

Ever humble, Boothby was very appreciative of her short time as a Penguin. "I couldn't have asked for a better start to my collegiate running career and a better group of teammates and coaches. I know this opportunity wouldn't have been possible without them.  I am forever grateful and honored to have been a part of the program at Clark. I'll never forget my time as a Penguin and I'm so thankful for everyone's support in the process."

The Cougars are getting the best female Cross Country athlete in Clark College history.  Boothby set the Penguin 4K, 5K, and 6K records this season on her way to being named the Baden NWAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year. Boothby won both the NWAC Southern Region and NWAC Championships this fall, becoming the first ever individual female Cross Country champion in school history. Her time of 17:57 won the race by over a minute and a half as it ranks third all-time at the NWAC Championship meet. Boothby became just the fourth runner to break 18 minutes at the championships, impressively doing so in wet conditions. 

Penguin's Head Coach Owen Frasier was ecstatic about Boothby earning the opportunity to run at the Division I level. "This was our plan for Sydnee from the very first day we started recruiting her. She wanted to get the opportunity to run at the highest level. Our program is 100% student centered, so we encouraged Sydnee to jump at this chance even though it happened so fast. She has helped us build something incredible at Clark. We expect her to be just the first of many athletes to make this leap to the Division I level. Coach Harmon does an incredible job and they are going to absolutely love Sydnee. We hope she's the piece they need to make the National Championship Meet next season. Go Cougs!"

Penguin's Distance Coach Kailey Sears added her congratulations as well. "Sydnee has been such a joy to coach. Everyone sees the talent she has, which is evident, but what has been most impressive to me has been her work ethic and coachability.  Sydnee never missed a day, she never cut a run short, she never used her talent and status on the team to give anything less than her absolute best. She worked harder than anyone. It's that dedication and determination that I will remember most about her.  I am excited to see what she accomplishes at WSU. Go Cougs!"

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