USU Men’s Cross Country Team shows out at NCAA Championships
Monday was a historical day for the Utah State Aggies men’s cross country team at the NCAA Division One National Championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Entering the race at No.21 in the nation, the Aggie team showed out on the hilly course, defeating ten teams that were ranked ahead of them to finish No. 11 (351 points) in the nation – the best finish in school history.
Leading the way for USU junior Caleb Garnica – the Mountain West champion. His time of 30:31.2 in the 10-kilometer race was good for No. 28 in the nation and All-American honors.
Close behind was sophomore Camren Todd, who finished No.42 – just two spots shy of All-American status – with a time of 30:50.2.
“I couldn’t be prouder of these kids,” said Utah State head cross country coach Artie Gulden. “The guys getting 11th is freaking fantastic. We showed tremendous heart and grit. Caleb fought hard and is an All-American. Camren came so close.”
Filling in the top five were senior Haydon Cooper, who finished No. 92 (31:28.5), sophomore Bridger Altice, who came in No. 108 (32:20.5) and sophomore Spencer Nelson, who was No.138 (32:05.5).
“I am amazed with the men on this team today,” said Garnica. “This was our highest finish in USU history and it’s an honor to race with them. Being an All-American has been a goal of mine and to finally achieve it is amazing. It was a fantastic day for all of us, and was a great finish to our long season.”
The Aggies got their revenge over Mountain West champion Air Force, who finished No.19. Utah schools Brigham Young and Southern Utah finished No. 7 and No. 9 respectively. Sky View graduate Connor Mantz was No. 1 for the Cougars with a time of 29.26.1 He is the first American to win the NCAA XC championship since Galen Rupp in 2008.
The Aggie’s lone representative on the women’s side, senior Katie Haviland, just missed the All-American mark, finishing No. 41 in the six-kilometer race with a time of 21:01.6
“It was a tough course and that’s definitely the most I’ve ever hurt in a race,” Haviland said. “I went out wanting to do big things, and even though it does hurt to have come so close to being an All-American, I know I gave it everything I had.”
Brigham Young won the women’s title with a score of 96.
It will be a quick transition for the Utah State distance runners, who now turn their attention towards the outdoor track and field season.