LUBBOCK, TX – There will be no waiting around this time. Two years ago, the Colorado Christian men's cross county team earned a trip to the NCAA Championship race with an at-large selection. This year they didn't leave that fate into a selection committee.
The Cougars placed third at the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championships to secure their spot at the NCAA Championship race in two weeks. The top three teams in each of the NCAA's Division II regions get automatic qualification into the championship event.
Colorado Christian improved their previous school best finish by three spots after a sixth place tally during the 2019 race.
HOW IT HAPPENED: A trio of all-region runners lead the team to its school record finish.
Ryder Searle placed fifth overall as he crossed the finish line in a time of 29:54.05. It is the best finish ever at a regional championship by an individual. It bested his school record by 13 spots after he finished 18th in 2019.
Also improving on their finishes from two seasons ago were Trent Cochran and Josh Pierantoni. Cochran took eighth place as he registered a time of 30:07.95. Previously the Kansas native placed 42nd at the regional championships. Pierantoni, who was 20th during that 2019 race, put together a top 10 performance as he crossed the finish line in 30:08.63 to place ninth.
Colorado Christian's fourth runner was Isaac Russo. Just missing all-region honors by four spots, Russo finished 29th with a time of 31:16.93. Alex Vance was the final scoring runner for the squad as he took 40th by crossing the finish line in 31:37.10.
RACE NOTES
- Dylan Powell won the individual race with a blistering time of 29:15.35
- Colorado School of Mines won with 42 points with Adams State (54) finishing second
- RMAC teams made up the top five finishes with UCCS (4th) and Western Colorado (5th)
UP NEXT: The Cougars travel to St. Leo, FL for the NCAA Championships on Saturday, Nov. 20
