Wolves finish strong at tough Central Regional
NSU Sports Information
11/7/2009 5:05:24 PM
WAYNE, Neb. – The Northern State University men’s and women’s cross country teams finished 13th and 15th, respectively, on Saturday, competing in the NCAA Division II Central Regional Championships. The men’s race featured 19 teams, while the women’s competition was 22 teams deep.
The regional meet marked the end of the 2009 season for both squads under second-year head coach Kevin Bjerke.
The men were led by senior Josh Schmeichel, who finished 41st out of 128 runners in the men’s race, finishing the 10K course in 33:42.5. The race marked the first time Schmeichel has led the Wolves this season.
Junior John Rawerts and sophomore Richard Keroack followed with back-to-back finishes. Rawerts claimed 59th place with his time of 34:13.5, while Keroack checked in at 34:14.0, good for 60th place.
Freshman Jacob Arechigo was the Wolves’ fourth runner, finishing 87th with a time of 35:31.4, while sophomore Matt Peterson rounded out NSU’s scoring contingent with his 115th place finish. Freshman Jayce Seelig finished in 122nd place with his time of 38:47.7.
The Wolves compiled 358 points as a team to finish 13th, just eight points ahead of 14th place Minnesota State University Moorhead.
The women also got a 41st place finish from junior Kari Linneman to lead the way. Linneman completed the women’s 6K course in 23:25.5, who has led the Wolves in all but one race in 2009.
Freshman Krystal Hughes completed a strong finish to her freshman debut, taking 66th place out of 147 competitors with a time of 24:09.4. Fellow freshman Jessica Brandli also turned in a strong performance with her 82nd place finish. Brandli clocked in at 24:39.9.
Junior Toni Fritz was just behind in 92nd place and a time of 24:53.5, while freshman Brittany Olfert was 116th with her race time of 25:49.
The women put together 396 points, just three points back of fellow Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference member St. Cloud State University. The Wolves edged the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs for the 15th place spot by just four points.
Adams State College swept both the men’s and women’s team titles.