Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
NCAA Pre-National Championships
Bison Cross Country Competes at the NCAA Pre-National Championships
10/14/2006 8:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Oct. 14, 2006
TERRA HAUTE, Ind. - The Bucknell men's and women's cross country teams competed in the NCAA Pre-National Championships on the campus of Indiana State University. The men's team placed 35th of 36 teams in a eight-kilometer run, while the women's team finished 26th of 37 teams in a six-kilometer run.
Senior Matt Forys (Howell, N.J./Howell) led the Bison by placing first for the team and 73rd of 243 runners with at time of 24 minutes, 43 seconds. Juniors Wallace Campbell (Montgomery, Al./Montgomery Academy) and Andrew Corral (Bellport, N.Y./Bellport) finished 159th and 181st with times of 25:16 and 25:26, respectively. Junior Michael Gibney (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham Wading River) crossed the line with a time of 25:48, which was good for 207th, while sophomore Clinton Orloski (Butler, Pa./Slippery Rock) finished 219th with a time of 25:56.
Along with Bucknell men, No. 4 Colorado, No. 27 Florida State, and No. 13 NC State finished in the top three respectively. The Bison also competed against the No. 7, 10, 13, 15, 18, 22, 26, and 29-ranked teams in the country.
"Matt Forys continues to run very consistently for us," said head coach Kevin Donner. "We need to close the gap between Matt and the rest of our men."
Senior Leanna Nastase (Beaverdale, Pa./Forest Hills) paced the women's side placing 66th of 253 with a time of 21:25. Junior Erin Cranmer-Hart (Slippery Rock, Pa./Slippery Rock) finished 137th with at time of 22:04. Seniors Jenny Stevens (Laceyville, Pa./Wyalusing) and Christa Sawko (Montoursville, Pa/Montoursville) finished 144th and 162nd, with times of 22:08 and 22:19, respectively. Rounding out the Bison top five was sophomore Gillian Nordquist (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) who crossed the plane with a time of 22:42, which was good for 199th.
The Bison women competed against No. 5 NC State, No. 3 Michigan, and No. 9 Wisconsin, who finished in the top three, respectively. Also participating in the meet were the No. 2, 14, 15, 23, 24, 27, and 29-ranked teams in the country. Bucknell finished ahead of Auburn, Arizona, Louisville, Purdue, Tulsa and Valparaiso.
"Leanna ran her best race as a Bison," said Donner. "She is in a very good position to qualify for the NCAA Championships as an individual. It was also nice to have Jenny Stevens back from an injury after missing the last couple weeks."
The Bucknell cross country teams will be back in action on Oct. 28, when they compete in the Patriot League Championships on the campus of Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y.
