Harriers Finish 23rd at NCAA's

LAWRENCE, Kan. The Nebraska womens cross country team closed out the season with a 23rd-place finish at the NCAA Championships held today at the Rim Rock Fram in Lawrence, Kan. Today was also the end of the cross country season for the nation as the best distance runners in the country came to compete for the national title. The NCAA Mens and Womens Division I Cross Country Championships were held today at the Rim Rock Farm. The meet was hosted by the University of Kansas on the true cross country course owned and designed by the legendary KU coach Bob Timmons.

The Husker women finished the race tied for 23rd place after being the 29th team. Freshman Jeannette Zimmer led the Huskers finishing 70th overall with a time of 18:01.18. Zimmers finish was the best Husker finish at nationals since 1995. Amy Wiseman, who finished 98th overall, followed Zimmer, completing the 5,000-meter course in 18:15.09.

This was the best race Ive ever witnessed, said Head coach Jay Dirksen. Our women ran really well and I was pleased to see them compete at this level.

Arizonas defending NCAA runner-up Amy Skieresz led the womens race until the final half mile when she was passed effortlessly by Michigans Katie McGregor. McGregor finished the race in 16:47.21 to become the 1998 NCAA Womens Cross Country Champion. Skieresz was the runner-up for the second straight year. Amy Yoder of Arkansas was the third-place finisher, covering the course in 17:03.05.

I felt as though I was closing in on her. I knew I had to stay within 40 meters of Skieresz in order to have a chance, said McGregor. At the last half mile I caught her; I wasnt thinking about it I just did it.

Colorados Adam Goucher handily won the mens 10,000-meter race to become the 1998 NCAA Mens Cross Country Champion. Goucher ran with Abdi Abdirahman of Arizona and pulled away during the last mile and a half to a victory. Abdirahman of Arizona, who finished the course in 29:49.90, followed Goucher, who won the race in 29:26.90. Julius Mwangi of Butler was the third-place finisher with a time of 30:00.0.

The race unfolded like I thought it would, said Goucher. Ive been flat and emotionless since Chris (Severy) passed away but today I had to do it; it was what I wanted to do.

The number-two ranked Villanova women upset the number-one ranked Brigham Young to win the team championship. The Wildcats finished with 106 points while the Cougars took second with 110 points. One point separated the number two and three teams as the Stanford women rounded out the top three with 111 points.

Over the past two seasons the Stanford men and the Arkansas men have used the NCAA Championships if it were a dual meet. This year it was no different; the Arkansas men took the team accolades this year defeating Stanford 97 to 114. Last year the Cardinal were the national champions. The Colorado Buffaloes took third with 158 points.