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JOPLIN, MO. – The Roberts Wesleyan University men’s cross country team concluded its season by making its fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championships.
The Redhawks, who won their ninth straight East Coast Conference championship and finished second in the East Region this season, finished 30th on Saturday which exceeded pre-race projections.
“The men ran quite well,” said Andrew Dorr, Roberts’ Director of Cross Country and Track and Field. “The placing doesn’t indicate it, but we are quite pleased with their performance.”
Senior Blake Kasper led the way for Roberts, covering the 10K course in 31:32.8 to finish 135th. Senior Owen White placed 144th in the field of 260 in 31:37.4, junior Zachary Hall was 171st in 32:09.6 and classmate Jackson Doran was 210th in 32:21.9.
Senior Theodore Pintabona finished 241st (22:17.6), senior Ryan Karker was 244th (33:23.6) and junior Jaxon Bunting placed 252nd (33:53.0) for Roberts.
Dorr offered a great deal of gratitude to Kasper, Karker and Pintabona, who ran their final cross country races as Redhawks on Saturday.
“Blake has been one of the best leaders and examples for everyone around him that we could have ever asked for,” Dorr said. “Ryan has also been a real force for good and Teddy has improved so much. We are really going to miss all of them next season.”
Wingate placed five runners in the top 21 to take the team title.