So since somebody asked, pretty out of the xc loop but pay some attention still.
Absolutely do not want to speak for Conner. Know very little about any of the current guys. Wisconsin result was a surprise, cool. Portland is usually a well prepared squad for 10k.
That said, different schools have different circumstances and expectations in the department. Conner has been there decades now and had huge success. Nobody wishes to disrespect the WCC, but it has never been a focus. UP won 30 plus in a row prior to BYU joining. Many years guys rested, UP was not threatened, or even a full team did not run hard. In 1996, I "won" for f-sake and we swept. At the time were were 5th in poll. It was cool trip, got to watch PAC-10 after, go for nice long run Sunday. Regionals and NCAAs were very important. As they are now. Not sure but guessing that UP wont coast through with a bid. Big deal beating Oregon and Stanford if they can. Washington and Wazzu too. Think of recruits...Conner has established record of competing well at NCAA regional and national meets against Stanford and Oregon. Many cases there, not even same recruits. U Dub and Wazzu, no offense to them, are not even quite the Jets compared to Patriots in AFC East. Pilots have dominated both for decades in xc.
Not sure what 93 Portland did at conference, that was their first NCAA bid. I was at Washington then. Portland killed us at Sundodger, put 5 in front of Oregon 1 at Drenth and won regional. Huge deals all.
Since then many top 10years, one podium. Regionals important, WCC is what it is. Different situation to a team in Ivy or PAC-12 or most other spots. Some programs emphasize conference more in track than others. Some programs basically emphasize Penn Relays more than conference or NCAA.
Proud of what program has become. That said, must confess that there have been a few UDub hats, jerseys, shirts in Grote household. UDub football has been a saving grace for us as Jets fans.
Grote