J.J. Webber repated as A-Sun Champion on Saturday.
Men's 8K Results |
Women's 5K ResutlsDEBARY, Fla.- Nothern Kentucky University cross country teams wrapped-up their seasons on Saturday, competing at the Atlantic Sun Conference Cross Country Championship.
J.J. Webber repeated as the men's individual champion, while leading the men's squad to a second-place finish overall on the 8K course. Webber took first place in a time of 24:26.43, the fifth-fastest first-place finish in the conference, while his 36-second margin of victory is the sixth largest in conference history. Post-race Webber was named 2014 A-Sun Men's Runner of the year, making it back-to-back seasons the senior has earned the award, and all-conference first team.
"It's great, he's had a target on his back since last year," said head cross country county
Steve Kruse. "He was the guy to beat this fall in a very competitive conference. It's not easy being the top runner, and he's just been great to coach. He worked really hard this fall; it was the hardest I had ever seen him train. I'm very happy at the result."
Follwing Webber to the finish line were
Brady Holmer (25:40.72, 10
th), Zac HoltKamp (25:48.00, 11
th),
Caleb Augustus (25:48.00, 12
th),
Michael Mangus (25:52.31, 14
th),
Izak Velasquez (26:25.85, 21
st) and
John Michael Griffith (26:51.46, 30
th). The Norse combined for 48 points to finish second behind Lipscomb with 38. Holmer, Holtkamp, Augustus and Mangus earned second-team all-conference honors for their efforts.
"We could not have run any better," Kruse said. "This team has worked hard all year long. The guys really put it together today. It speaks volumes to their commitment and work ethic. We did not lose this race today, Lipscomb just beat us. "
On the women's side, NKU placed seventh overall with a total of 182 points. Kelly Burrows was the top-finisher for the women taking 32
nd place in a time of 19:07.25 on the 5K course. Kaitlyn Hooper (19:23.14, 35
th), Lindsay Mumley (19:23.55, 36
th), Jessica Tegge (19:54.85, 45
th), Jaci Combs (20:13.21, 49
th), Colleen McKiernan (20:13.53, 50
th) and Sara Savitz rounded out the Norse top-seven. Lipscomb placed first overall with a total of 21 points.
"It has been amazing for us to see how strong the women's side of this conference has become," Kruse said. "We ran a good race and I'm proud of the effort our ladies gave. It was a very emotional race with five seniors on the line. They've all worked really hard."
For more information on the Northern Kentucky University cross country program and all Norse athletics, please visit NKUNorse.com.
A-Sun Specail Feature on J.J. Webber
