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Cross
country places seventh at national meet Staff Writer
The
men s cross country team competed on Nov. 23 in Ashland, Ohio at the
NCAA Division II National Cross Country Meet. The
men had a slow start in the beginning of the race causing them to fall
behind in the first 3,000 meters. After the 3,000 marker, they were able
to ease ahead and move up from 12th to 10th place by the 5,000-meter
spot. After the 7,000-meter spot, they transitioned from eighth place to
seventh place, which may have demonstrated the runners had the heart and
dedication to finish as a team so well. The
team results were posted throughout the race because of electronic chips
placed on runners shoes. At different periods during the race, each
team s progress was tallied giving the team an idea of how well or
poor it was doing. The team peaked at the appropriate times. Brian
Lyons finished 31st, with a time of 32:22, giving him the lone
All-American title for the team. Only five runners counted toward the
team total of 265, making it more challenging for the team. Other
finishers include: Magnus Holmstrom, 32:31; Larry Boswell, 32:57; Petri
Kykyri, 33:12; and Craig Rhoads, 33:43. The
team finished seventh out of 22 teams. The team had to overcome weather
conditions - including snow. In
order to pass a runner, each man was forced to step out into the snow,
making it difficult for the runners to race. Slipping and sliding almost
classified as the event for the day due to the rough conditions. Tom
Rutledge, head coach, remained pleased with his runners and their
performance through the snowy trail. As
usual, I am very proud of them, Rutledge said. It took a lot of
character, guts and desire to come back. The
men will lose four esteemed runners from the cross-country team.
Boswell, Kykyri, Lyons and Michael Sutter have used their last year of
eligibility for cross country, but plan to continue competing in track
and field. The
men s team has had a successful season, but it has come to a close.
With a conference championship, three all-conference and all-region
finishers, a second place regional trophy, and a seventh place title,
the team has established a new motto: Our sport (cross country) is
other sports punishment. |