SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Behind a trio of All-Region performances, the Fort Hays State women’s cross country earned a spot in the 2016 NCAA Division II Championships with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Central Region Championships Saturday morning (Nov. 5). The Tigers finished with 143 points, 33 clear of fifth place Pittsburg State. 32 teams and 211 individuals participated in the festivities, hosted by Augustana University at Yankton Trail Park.
Shea Bonine led the Tigers to the line, earning All-Region honors completing the six-kilometer course in 20:56.48, good for eighth place. Sophie Dalmasso (15th, 21:25.89) and Micki Krzesinski (24th, 21:32.81) also picked up All-Region accolades. Chelsea Jackson crossed the line in 22:05.9 to finish 45th with Yessenia Gonzales rounding out the scoring for FHSU in 55th (22:18.39).
The University of Mary captured the team title with just 60 points, placing all five runners in the top 26. Alexis Zeis of the Mauraders was the first runner to cross the line in 19:43.84.
The team will now travel to St. Leo, Fla. for the National Championships in two weeks, Saturday, November 19. The six-kilometer race is scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m. ET (8:45 a.m. CT). More information on the event can be found HERE.
The Fort Hays State men’s cross country team wrapped up its season Saturday (Nov. 5) with an eighth-place finish at the Central Region Championships, hosted by Augustana University at Yankton Trail Park. Senior Troy Wineinger earned All-Region honors for the first time in his career, finishing 21st in 31:50.25.
Jacob Thomas earned a 44th-place finish, completing the 10-kilometer course in 32:34.53. Israel Barco crossed the line in 32:47.39, good for 58th. Oscar Carmona (70th, 33:04.37) and Layton Werth (71st, 33:06.66) finished back-to-back to round out the Tiger scoring.
The five Tiger runners combined for 228 team points. Host Augustana won its second-straight Central Region title with 65 points, three in front of Missouri Southern. The Lions’ Vincent Kiprop once again won the individual title with a time of 29:33.61, more than one minute faster than the second place runner.