Cross Country Runs Strong at NCAA Regionals
11/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Nov. 15, 2003
WACO, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin men's and women's cross country teams recorded their best finish in school history at the NCAA South Central Regional meet Saturday afternoon in Waco, Texas. The Lumberjacks just missed an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships with their third-place finish. The women scored 230 points to finish seventh.
The Lumberjacks scored 77 points to outpace Texas by eight points for third place, just missing an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships by four points. The Lumberjacks were led by three all-region runners. Mike Thompson who recorded a time of 30:17 to finish third overall. Thompson finish was good enough to advance to the NCAA Championship meet. Classmate Nathan Flores was only 30 seconds off Thompson pace to finish eight overall. Senior Justin Meier was the third Lumberjack with his time of 30:51. Meier's time was good enough for an 11th-place overall finish. Sophomore Julian Acuna finished 23rd overall with his time of 31:45. Marc Farris closed out the scoring for the Lumberjacks with his 36th-place finish. Farris finished with a time of 32:18.
The Ladyjacks recorded their best finish in school history despite the loss of 2003 SLC Female Athlete of the Year Ana Rodriguez. Freshman Ashley Monteau led the Ladyjacks with her time of 21:31, to finish 10th. Monteau earned all-region honors with her finish. Classmate Julie Kole was the second Ladyjack to cross the finish line with a time of 23:29. Kole finished 61st overall. Emily Hufstedler was only two seconds back of Kole with her 62nd-place finish. Senior Vicki Jannise was the fourth Ladyjack to cross the finish line with her time of 23:38. She was 66th overall. Freshman Kimbri Lettkeman finished the Ladyjacks' scoring, finishing 68th overall. Lettkeman crossed the finish line with a time of 23:40.
Thompson will be running at the NCAA Championships on Monday Nov. 24th. The race will be held at in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
-SFA-
