Cross Country

Nov 3, 2007
AC, USD & UND Women and MSU Men Qualify for NCAA DII Cross Country Championships

The Augustana, South Dakota and North Dakota women's teams will represent the North Central Conference at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships in Joplin, Mo. on November 17th. They will be joined by the Minnesota State men's team and individual qualifiers Liz Palkie and Eric Atkinson of Minnesota Duluth. The qualifications were based on the team's performances at the NCAA Division II North Central Region meet in Vermillion, S.D. 

Adams State won its fifth North Central Region title in six years by capturing the women's title today at the Don Baker Course in Vermillion, S.D. Other teams advancing to nationals include Western State, Augustana, South Dakota and North Dakota.  For Adams State, it was their fifth region title in six years. Tanya Gaurmer of Adams State won the individual title in 20:44.63. South Dakota's Ramsey Kavan was second in 20:55.05.

Women's Team Standings

1.       Adams State 28; 2. Augustana, 86; 2. Western State, 86; 4. South Dakota, 115; 5. North Dakota, 149. 6. Nebraska Kearney, 187; 7. Mesa State, 263; 8. Minnesota Duluth, 166; 9. Fort Lewis, 297; 10. Minnesota Moorhead 304

Top 15 - Individuals - Women's Race

1.       Tanya Gaurmer, Adams State, 20:44.63; 2. Ramsey Kavan, South Dakota, 20:55.05; 3. Rachel Stangler, Augustana, 21:01.67; 4. Brittany Somers, Adams State, 21:07.80; 5. Heidi Evans, North Dakota, 21:08.23; 6. Lavenna Mullenbach, Adams State, 21:09.02; 7. Lauren Dunsmoor, Colorado State-Pueblo, 21:20.03; 8. Ashley Quintana, Adams State, 21:21.76; 9. Heather Wood, Adams State, 21:22.47; 10. Molly Clark, Augustana, 21:47.74; 11. Liz Palkie, Minnesota-Duluth, 21:51.34; 12. Julianne Payton, Western State, 21:51.70; 13. Janette McCarroll, Adams State, 21:51.99; 14. Shannon Filar, Western State, 21:51.99; 15. Jillan Tholen, Augustana, 21:56.42.

Top two women's individual not on an advancing team and qualifying for nationals include: Lauren Dunsmoor, Colorado State-Pueblo and Liz Palkie, Minnesota-Duluth.

Western State edged Adams State for the North Central Region men's title.  Western State won their second region title in the last four years and ended a two-year run by Adams State. Western last won a region title in 2004. Lauren Ngirakamer of New Mexico Highlands was the individual champion in 29:44.58 which set a course record on the Don Baker Memorial Course at USD in Vermillion, S.D. Reuben Mwei of Adams State was second in 30:16.20. Besides Western State, other teams advancing to nationals included Adams State, Minnesota State Mankato, Colorado Mines and New Mexico Highlands.

Men's Team Standings

1.       Western State 45; 2. Adams State 46; 3. Minnesota State Mankato 89; 4. Colorado Mines, 9; 5. New Mexico Highlands, 149; 6. Metropolitan State, 184; 7. Minnesota-Duluth, 194; 8. Augustana, 207; 9. Minnesota State Moorhead, 334; 10. Mary, 342.

Top 15 - Individuals - Men's Race

1.       Lauren Ngirakamar, New Mexico Highlands, 29:44.58 (course record); 2. Reuben Mwei, Adams State, 30:16.20; 3. Iain Donnan, Western State, 30:19.59; 4. Aaron Clark, Western State, 30:21.02; 5. Aaron Braun, Adams State, 30:23.92; 6. Scott Dahlberg, Western State, 30:38.35; 7. Brian Medigovich, Adams State, 30:44.45; 8. Eric Atkinson, Minnesota-Duluth, 30:53.90; 9. Tyler Pennel, Western State, 30:58.09; 10. Denise Mokaya, Minnesota State Mankato, 31:03.63; 11. David Kemei, New Mexico Highlands, 31:04.73;  12. James Krajsa, Minnesota State Mankato, 31:22.62; 13. Ryan McNiff, Adams State, 31:29.31; 14. Clifton Oertli, Colorado Mines, 31:32.77; 15. Michael Rooney, Colorado Mines, 31:34.64.

Individuals qualifying for nationals and not on a qualifying team include Eric Atkinson, Minnesota-Duluth and Nate Preston of Wayne State (31:48.82).