Cross country sends three to national meet
The men’s cross country team gathers before the gun goes off at the Haskell Indian Nations University Invitational on Oct. 7. Senior Joe Linder always gives a small speech to his teammates to make sure everyone is ready to race. The men’s and women’s teams prepare to host the Heart Conference meet on Nov. 4.
The cross country team hosted the Heart of America Athletic Conference meet at the Baldwin City Golf Course on Nov. 4.
The men placed fourth overall and had three runner’s place in the top 20, qualifying them for the national meet. Sophomore Greg Flores finished number one for the ‘Cats with a fifth-place finish overall in a time of 26:25 across the 8 kilometer (4.97 miles) course. Freshman Liam Barnsby placed 10th at 26:42 and senior Joe Linder took 13th at 26:50.
The three men will run in the national meet on Nov. 18 in Fort Vancouver, Washington. Flores and Barnsby were named 2017 Heart First Team All-Conference. Linder received Honorable Mention All-Conference.
The women took home a fifth-place finish out of 14 Heart teams. Senior Rosie Hollis led the way with an 18th place finish.
MNU took first as a team for women and Missouri Valley finished second. Both will compete as teams in the national meet. Missouri Valley captured the men’s team title and Mount Mercy took second. They will also run as teams at the national meet.
