November 22, 2009

RedStorm finish 21^st in nation

Vancouver, Wash. ---"On the men's side, I would like to see us be in the top 20, we're really going to have to run outstanding to do it, but, that's a goal that I would like us see us achieve." Those were the words of Rio Grande head cross country coach Bob Willey prior to leaving for the NAIA National Meet. The RedStorm fell just short of that goal, although they did run well, finishing 21^st (out of 32 teams) at the 53^rd NAIA Men's National Cross Country Championships at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site on Saturday.

Rio Grande totaled 479 points for the meet. Sophomore Bryce Wilson (Jackson, OH), the Mid-South Runner of the Year, finished 27^th overall with a time of 25:33. He earned All-American status with the finish. The top 30 runners achieved All-American honors.

Junior Matthew Spencer (Pickerington, OH) was the second RedStorm runner to cross the finish line in 60^th position (26:22). Red-shirt freshman Bryce Wilson (Fleming, OH), who was the Mid-South Freshman Runner of the Year, finished 79^th overall with a time of 26:34.

Other RedStorm results: freshman Joe Taranto (Pickerington, OH), 150^th (27:28); freshman Nathan Mogle (New Madison, OH), 163^rd (27:38); sophomore Chad McCarty (Tipp City, OH), 197^th (28:40) and sophomore Zane Miller (Grove City, OH), 200^th (28:48).

There were 323 runners in the race. Malone won the NAIA National Championship with a total of 44 points. 

The Rio Grande women's team had two runners competing in the women's race. Sophomore Kayla Renner (Galloway, OH) was the top RedStorm runner to finish. She was 172^nd overall and covered the 3.1-mile course in 20:26. Senior Stacey Arnett (Laurelville, OH) closed out her college career finishing 237^th with a time of 20:58.

There were 330 runners in the women's event.