Cross country teams finish season at regional meet

Saturday, the CSC Men and Women’s Cross Country teams competed in the NCAA South Central Region Championships in Canyon, Texas.

The men snagged 18 out of 21 with a total time of 169.43 minutes with an average of 33:57 minutes.

Evan Koechs, sophomore of Nairobi, Kenya, crossed first for the CSC men.

The women came out with 11 out of 22 with a total time of 115:36 minutes with an average of 23:08 minutes.

Stacy Girard, senior of Alliance, lead the CSC women.

According to Brian Medigovich, assistant coach, Girard came in 14 out of 152 competitors and finished only six seconds away from going to the NCAA D-II National Championship held Saturday, Nov. 23 in Spokane, Wash.

“This year was kind of a rare year. Every other year the top 20 go (on to nationals),” he said. “There was only 16 seconds between (sixth place) and us (11th place) for the women.”

The results were as predicted though, Medigovich said. He said he was satisfied although the teams did not qualify for nationals. He said going to nationals would help set up a tradition and he did not know how many second-year programs even get to consider nationals.

Girard was recognized as an All-Region honoree by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association following regionals. In order to earn all-region, a runner must individually finish in the top 25.

Results provided by the CSC Sports Information Office:

Women’s Results:

14, Stacy Girard, 21:59; 40 Ashley Riesen, 22:40; 54, Jayme Nunes, 23:01; 69, Rebecca Volf, 23:17, 113, Sara Townsend 24:39; 115, Nicky Applegarth, 24:43; 141, Callie Johnson, 25:52

Men’s Results:

39, Evans Koech, 32:05; 82, Dylan Stansbury, 33:35; 96, Robert Ricks, 34:03; 107, Nathan Faulkner, 34:30; 123, Josef Gertner, 35:30; 143, Hank Jackson, 38:16