SIOUX FALLS, SD – Running their best meet of the season, the University of Mary men's cross country team placed third at the 2016 Northern Sun championships. Today's result matches the program's best-ever finish, equaling the Marauders third place standing at the 2013 NSIC championship meet.
Derek Myers paced the Marauders efforts. The sophomore placed 10
th to earn All-Northern Sun first team honors. Senior
Steven Gordon claimed 13
th and garnered All-NSIC second team credentials.
"Our men have a tradition of stepping up when the money is on the table," said Marauders head coach
Dennis Newell. "Today was no different. A thin blue line of men lined up today and found the third-most efficient path to the finish line; finishing ONLY behind the 7th ranked team in the country and another that will be in the top 15 in the country by next week.
"A rocky start to the season progressed into a team poised to compete with a chip on their shoulders. That 'chip' proved to be a highly effective motivator. I could not be more pleased with the efforts and outcome that the men put together today."
The Marauders posted 100 points on the day. Augustana, ranked seventh in the country, won its eighth straight NSIC title with 28 points. MSU Moorhead, which is receiving votes in the national poll, scored 47 points and claimed second in the 12-team meet.
A native of Gillette, WY, Myers headlined the Marauders efforts for the third straight outing. Myers took tenth after covering the 8,000 meter Yankton Trails Park course in 24:55.60 to grab the final spot on the All-NSIC first team.
Running his best race of the season, Gordon claimed 13
th overall in 25:06.95 and picking up a second team all-NSIC citation.
Kevin Carpenter earned the 24
th spot in the championship race, traversing the trail in 25:25.60. Not far behind the Mary junior was sophomore
Teegan Olson, who grabbed the 26
th spot overall and 23
rd in scoring.
Tyler Erickson sealed the third place finish for the Marauders after placing 36
th overall and 32
nd in team scoring points after running the course in 25:39.31. His effort ensured the Marauders finished ahead of the Bulldogs.
Additionally,
Creighton Barrett and
Harrison Bentzel, both freshmen, placed 51
st and 63
rd, respectively, in their first collegiate championship meet.
The Marauders next compete at the NCAA Central Region championships on this same course in Sioux Falls, SD, on Nov. 5. A trip to the NCAA championships is at stake.
#marauders#
