Mick and Williams qualify for Cross Country Nationals
Women third at regionals, Men finish season on positive note
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Mick

Williams

OMAHA, Neb. -- Jolene Mick and Sarah Williams qualified for the NAIA Women’s Cross Country National Championships for a second consecutive season, while leading the Kansas Wesleyan women to a third place finish at the NAIA Region IV Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

Mick finished in third place overall with an 18:37.20, just behind meet winner Ramona Nicholls of Park and second place runner Ericka Franklin of Southwestern. Williams came in ninth place with a 19:26.

Yeleny Torres was next for the Lady Coyotes in the No.21 spot with a 20:11, and Nicole Nicastro was 26th with a 20:28. Lauren Ross and Ashley Toews finished in 57th and 58th, respectively, and Kara Walker rounded out the Wesleyan runners, finishing 85th while still battling an injury with a 23:50.

As a team, Wesleyan finished third overall with 110 points, behind meet winner Park (Mo.) with 25 points, and Southwestern (Kan.).

The KWU men only ran four racers at the regional meet, but finished the season on a very positive note.

“From where we were at the start of the season, to where we are now is an incredible improvement,” KWU coach Jeff Barker said. “Every single men’s runner has improved their times each week, and I am very pleased with the effort they put out all year.”

Sophomore Paul Minneman was the top finisher for the Coyotes, pulling in a 17th place finish with a 27:43.43. Mark Winkel was next for the Coyotes with 28:28.96 in the No.32 spot. Seth Schooley was 43rd with a 28:51.55 and Gabe Russell was 46th with a 29:03.93 to round out the finishers for the Coyotes.

Mick and Williams advance to the NAIA National Championships in Kenosha, Wisc., on November 17.

-- KWU SI --

 

Complete Women's Results
Complete Men's Results