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By Chad Hensley, NKU Sports Information JOPLIN, Mo. – After an eye-opening experience at last year’s pre-national meet, the Northern Kentucky University men’s cross country team may have opened the eyes of many in the Great Lakes Region after the Norse posted a fourth-place finish in Saturday’s Southern Stampede, which included a field of 36 teams. Individually for the Norse, it took only three races for the youth to shine bright for coach Steve Kruse. Ryne Smith, a freshman from Covington, Ky., led the way for the Norse as his time of 25:34.0 was good enough for 34th out of 313 runners. NKU, which is known for running in tight packs throughout the race, did just that despite the increase of distance from five kilometers to eight kilometers – which is the distance for the nationals. Smith’s time led a group of six Norse runners that finished with 29 seconds of each other. Matthew Shoulta (42), Drew Harris (44), Adam Stoppelwerth (48) and Keith Knapp (62) complete the group of Norse that scored points for the team. The University of Arkansas, who finished fifth at the NCAA Division I Nationals and first in the Southeastern Conference, completely owned the competition. Scott MacPherson and Tyler Hill both finished with times of 23:46.00 and paced a group of Razorbacks that all finished in the top 11. Arkansas finished an impressive 143 points in front of its nearest competition – host school, Missouri Southern State. It was once again Julianne Hoekzema who was the top finisher for Kruse’s women’s squad. Hoekzema, a graduate of Badin High School, was her consistent self as she blazed her way to a sixth-place finish out of a field of 295 runners. Jenna Siemer (43), Alisha Hansman (55), Janice Laker (109) and Rose Morgan (133) completed the scoring for the Norse. The University of Tulsa women’s squad displayed the same dominating features that Arkansas sis on the men’s side. Alex Becker won the 5K race to lead the Golden Hurricane to a 76-point win over its closest competition – Missouri Southern State. NKU will be in action once again on Sept. 29 in Chicago, Ill., for the Loyola Invitational. |
