Bluejay trio earns all-region honors, Topham to run national
Written by Andrew Ottoson
Wednesday, 07 November 2007
Peabody’s Andrew Topham won the NAIA regional championship race held Saturday in Omaha.
Tabor College freshman Liz Kleinsasser qualified to run at the NAIA national cross-country meet with an 11th-place time of 19 minutes, 32 seconds on the 5-kilometer course at the regional championship.
“We had a good day of racing, and qualifying for nationals is a great honor,” coach Karol Hunt said. “Having three runners receive regional recognition is also positive for our cross country program.”
Kleinsasser and Heidi Schmidt (14th, 19:39) earned all-region honors and boosted the team to a fourth-place finish out of 14 teams.
Amber Wiens (30th, 20:37), Jera Tesselle (34th, 20:46) and Ashley Schmidt (43rd, 21:21) finished out the top five.
“Heidi, Amber and Ashley ran their final cross country races on Saturday,” Hunt said. “Heidi and Amber have been major contributors for four years. Ashley competed for three years and I have appreciated her steady, even-keel approach. Her depth to the team will also be missed.”
Peabody-Burns High School graduates Kate Topham (23rd, 20:13) and Alyssa Carter (36th, 20:52) ran for Southwestern. The Moundbuilders (80 points) placed second to Park University (25), but topped conference rival Kansas Wesleyan (110).
The Bluejays (128) followed with Friends (133) on their heels.
Zac Remboldt (13th, 27:31) led the men to sixth place among 12 teams and earned all-region honors.
Dan Sigley (42nd, 28:51) finished second and Justin Ball (44th; 28:52) third.
“As a freshman, Justin developed a lot as a college runner,” Hunt said. “He finished the season on a high note by running his second PR in two weeks.”
Running his final college race was senior Caleb Schroeder (45th; 28:59).
“Caleb ended well too,” Hunt said. “His final two races were in the 28s.”
Rounding out Tabor’s performances were Ric Johnson (62nd; 30:08), Adam McPeck (65th; 30:28) and Michael Adamyk (87th; 33:45).
Peabody-Burns alumnus Andrew Topham (26:05) took won the race and led Southwestern (25) to the team title.
Centre High graduate Justin Garrard (70th, 30:46) represented Ottawa (172).
Tabor (162) beat out the Braves, finishing behind Park (73), McPherson (103), Friends (119), and Haskell Indian Nations (156).
“I am pleased with our season,” Hunt said. “We grew tremendously as runners and individuals.”
Coming—Kleinsasser will run at the NAIA national meet in Kenosha, Wis., on Saturday.
Write Comment
Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article.
Personal verbal attacks will be deleted.
Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed.
Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button.
Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
