Storm Runners Compete in First-Ever NCAA Regional Meet
The men’s and women’s cross country team ushered in a new era in Crown College athletic affiliation by competing in the NCAA Regional meet at Grinnell College in Iowa on Saturday, November 15. Running in frigid temperatures and high winds, the men’s teams finished in 25th place and the women were 26th. Nebraska Wesleyan won the men’s division and Wartburg College took top honors for the women.
Senior co-captain Seth Brickley led all Crown finishers with a 72nd place finish covering the men’s 8K course in 27:23. The top woman for Crown was freshman Shauna Palmer completing the 6K course in 28:42. The overall men’s winner was David McCay from Luther College in 25:29 while Marie Borner from Bethel University won the women’s race in 21:28.
Men finishers for Crown in addition to Brickley were Jon Lord (33:12), Kyle Pitts (33:34), Gatjeak Gew (34:11), and Nat Sahlstrom (34:18). Women finishers besides Palmer were Hannah Dean (29:06), Cherie Hecimovich (29:54), Erika Stampflk (29:55), Kelsey Morrow (30:03), Kate Sahlstrom (31:47), and Megan Kunde (33:08).
“Seth (Brickley) capped off a brilliant cross country career at Crown with a very strong race”, said coach Rick Peterson. “We learned that two weeks ago he raced the UMAC Conference Meet with a partially collapsed lung. His recovery has progressed well and today he was the top UMAC finisher. The meet was an important learning experience for our men who will return next year. Each has the potential to become a top UMAC runner.”
“Given the extreme conditions and tough competition, our Lady Storm runners did very well. Erika (Stampfl) went out hard and ran competitive until the late stages of the race. Kelsey (Morrow) was our only runner with a personal best time which, given the conditions, was quite an accomplishment. Shauna (Palmer), Hannah (Dean), and Cherie (Hecimovich) have improved throughout the season and make for a very promising future. Kate (Sahlstrom) has run courageously through injuries this season. Megan (Kunde) has been our women’s leader all year, and her commitment to cross train through a double stress fracture has been inspirational.”
NCAA Men's Results
NCAA Women's Results
UMAC Men's Results
UMAC Women's Results
