In the Division I NCAA Cross Country Champions that were held on November 23rd, 2009 in Terre Haute, Indiana the day opened with ideal conditions and clear skies. The stage was set for a fine day of racing. In the men's race, it was Sam Chelanga from Liberty that not only took the early lead but then held it the rest of the way, only widening the gap as the race progressed and then proving his dominance in smashing the course record. Chelanga's 28:41 for the 10k distance bested the previous record that was set only last year by Galen Rupp by over 20 seconds. Behind the winner was David McNeil from Northern Arizona for second place over a fast closing Chris Derrick from Stanford. The men's team award went to Oklahoma State by a distinctive margin, with Oregon claiming the second spot with an great showing as their first man across the line was a sophomore, Luke Puskedra. Taking third was Alabama, while Stanford who was expected to make a run for the title ended up in 10th place.
For the Women in an surprise upset over 2008 Olympian Jenny Barringer from the University of Colorado, it was Angela Bizzarri from Illinois who took home the title. While Barringer was the early leader, she dropped significantly by the 2k mark and eventually collapsed to the ground. She struggled to get herself up and staggered across the finish line well behind the leaders. And so it was Bizzarri, Susan Kuijken from Florida State, and Washington's Kendra Schaff by the 4k looking to fight to the finish. Bizzarri held off both competitors for the win, with Schaff in second, followed by a fading Kuijken. For the team award the results were just as unexpected. Besting the defending champions Washington Huskies, and who entered the race as the top ranked team, was Villanova. In fact, Florida State too caught the Huskies off guard as they claimed second, leaving Washington in third place.
Read the interview I conducted with one of the Washington Husky coaches, Kelly Strong, earlier in the season.
Comments
Men's team winner was Oklahoma State, not Oklahoma.
Ozark, Thank you for catching that, my mistake! I stand corrected and it is to the men of Oklahoma State that congratulations are due!
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