Women's cross country, 3 earn All Midwest Region honors
11/3/2012 | Men's Cross Country
KENOSHA, Wisc.—Behind All-Region performances by Angela Musk and Emily Frith, the Bellarmine University women's cross country team placed fifth in today's NCAA Midwest Regional to advance to the National Championship Finals for the first time in school history. On the men's side, Bellarmine's young squad ran their best event of the season, finishing 14th, led by All-Region performer Robert Sandlin, Jr., who was 13th overall.
In the women's race, Musk ran a 6k time of 21:11 to finish second overall behind individual champion Allyson Winchester of Grand Valley State, who posted a winning time of 20:57. Bellarmine's Frith also turned in a stellar performance by placing 11th with a time of 21:43. By virtue of their top 15 finishes, both Musk and Frith earned All-Midwest Region honors.
The Knights also got strong performances from Carissa Martin (31st, 22:21), Maggie Wagner (46th, 22:38), Megan Kaiser (64th, 23:01), Sarah Turi (84th, 23:20) and Jenna Lee (98th, 23:28)
“They ran absolutely great,” said Bellarmine Women's Cross Country Coach Kris Horton. “We wanted to get out early, and when I saw them at about the halfway point we were right where we wanted to be. This was a great team effort, and with six of our seven being seniors, this has really been a special year for them.”
The second place finish by Musk is the highest regional finish in the history of Bellarmine women's cross country program. Interestingly, current Bellarmine Director of Track and Cross Country Jim Vargo finished second at regionals 30 years ago to the date and on the same course to set the men's record for highest finish.
Grand Valley took the team championship with Saginaw Valley, Ferris State, Southern Indiana, and Bellarmine rounding out the top five. Only the top five team advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship, which will be held Nov. 17 in Joplin, Mo.
On the men's side, Vargo was very pleased with his team's performance. “This was our best event of the year,” he said. “Cody Parks, one of our freshmen, really stepped up-- as did a lot of our younger runners.”
Sandlin clocked a 31:36 to lead the Knights and secure All-Region honors with a 13th place finish. Parks posted a 32:04 to earn 34th in the 158-runner field. Other times for Bellarmine included: Austin Zachary, 33:57; Kyle Covert, 34:14; Will Ford, 34:29; Taylor Sanders, 34:33; and Lovice Pollock, 34:44.