Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagle cross country teams won both the men and women team titles at the MCAC Conference Championships hosted by Haskell University in Lawrence, Kan. on Saturday, Oct. 30.
The Women’s team won the title with a score of 37 points, 29pts less than their closest finisher Haskell Indian Nations (66pts), while Peru State (73pts) and York College (74pts) completed the top four schools.
By winning the conference title, the Lady Eagles for the first time qualified for the NAIA National Championship, which will be held in Vancouver, Washington on November 20.
The men’s team won the crown with a score of 28pts after a strong battle with hosts Haskell who finished second with 35pts.
“It was a great day for OKWU cross country program. The goal at the beginning of the season was to win both titles and everyone did the work to see to it that the dream was accomplished.
“The women always believed that they could qualify for the NAIA Championships and they stayed focus and I am so very proud of being involved in such a memorable achievement.”
THE FINISHERS
The Lady Eagles had four of the top ten finishers in the race, with freshman Allie Antrim, running for the first time in four weeks, taking second place with a time of 20:25.17. Genevieve Estes was the second Lady Eagle to cross the line and was third overall with a time of 20:26.79. Senior and team captain Micah Jenner was sixth with 21:16.33 with Lisa Lord, 22:20.42, rounding off the top ten places.
Completing the Lady Eagle finishers were senior Jannette Young, who ran 23:13.19 for 16th place, Shannon Coutouzis, who ran a personal best of 23:55.71 for 20th, Anna Lamar (25:34.68) for 29th and Kelsie Crouch 26:45.03 for 34th.
On the men’s side, senior captain David Rannabagar was crowned individual champion after he dominated the race to finish with his third fastest time ever of 26:55.48.
Freshman Austin Blain produced his best race so far this season after he sliced almost one-minute and 30-seconds off his previous best to be the second Eagle runner to finish and fourth overall in the scoring in 29:00.57.
James Hensel, (29:26.71) was the next Eagle finisher at 5th, while freshman Patrick Buntt ran 30:15.40, Matt Atwell (30:48.12), freshman Andrew Townes (32:10.26) and limping Devon Arredondo (32:44.62), running injured from start to finish completed the finishers.
“I was very impressed by the way the men raced on Saturday. They knew they had to do it as a team and they all put themselves in good positions from the get-go to finish strong.
“David has been remarkable for us all year and I am happy he won the individual title. I was also very impressed by the runs of freshmen Austin and Patrick, who are both improving with every race.”
For winning both conference titles, coach Gary Smith was named men and women conference coach of the year.