AAC News
Fri, Nov 28, 2008 - [Men's Cross Country]
Kenosha, Wis. (Nov. 22, 2008) - The Milligan
men's and women's cross country teams had outstanding finishes at the
NAIA Cross Country National Championships held in Kenosha, Wis. The
Lady Buffs finished fourth and the Buffs finished 16th in a field of
the best teams in the country.
The Buffs had their best ever finish at the National level as they placed 16th with 430 points. Malone College took the team title with 61 points and Azusa Pacific was the runner-up with 118 points. The Buffs turned some heads since they were ranked 34 th in the final NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
Freshman Austin Ellis (Charlottesville, Va.) was Milligan's lone All-American, finishing 15 th overall on the 8k course in a school record of 24:55, which was previously held by former Milligan runner Ben Ronoh. Ellis cut 70 seconds off his personal best to accomplish this incredible feat in his first year at Milligan.
Senior Wegene Degefa (Rochester, N.Y.) finished second for the Buffs, placing 63rd overall in a time of 25:55 and freshman Caleb Hughes (Christiansburg, Va.) lowered his personal best by 25 seconds to finish 99th in 26:25. Senior Will Frye (Pulaski, Va.) and junior Aaron Wood (Aurora, Co.) rounded up the top five for the Buffs with 116th and 139th place finishes, respectively.
"This was an incredible day for our teams and Milligan College," said Head Coach Chris Layne. "I was extremely proud of the way both teams executed their race plans and used the momentum from our conference championships to take another huge step."
The Buffs had their best ever finish at the National level as they placed 16th with 430 points. Malone College took the team title with 61 points and Azusa Pacific was the runner-up with 118 points. The Buffs turned some heads since they were ranked 34 th in the final NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
Freshman Austin Ellis (Charlottesville, Va.) was Milligan's lone All-American, finishing 15 th overall on the 8k course in a school record of 24:55, which was previously held by former Milligan runner Ben Ronoh. Ellis cut 70 seconds off his personal best to accomplish this incredible feat in his first year at Milligan.
Senior Wegene Degefa (Rochester, N.Y.) finished second for the Buffs, placing 63rd overall in a time of 25:55 and freshman Caleb Hughes (Christiansburg, Va.) lowered his personal best by 25 seconds to finish 99th in 26:25. Senior Will Frye (Pulaski, Va.) and junior Aaron Wood (Aurora, Co.) rounded up the top five for the Buffs with 116th and 139th place finishes, respectively.
"This was an incredible day for our teams and Milligan College," said Head Coach Chris Layne. "I was extremely proud of the way both teams executed their race plans and used the momentum from our conference championships to take another huge step."
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