Freshmen Runners Pace NU at Bearcat Distance Classic

Maryville, Mo. - Battling hot and humid conditions, Husker freshmen Morgan Hartman (Scottsbluff, Neb.) and Kyle Wyatt (Albion, Neb.) claimed the women's and men's individual titles respectively, at the Bearcat Distance Classic hosted by Northwest Missouri State on Saturday.

Hartman, whose training has been limited because of injuries, turned in an excellent effort, winning the women's 4,000-meter race in a time of 15:50.8. Head Coach Jay Dirksen said he was pleasantly surprised by Hartman's performance.

"I was really pleased with Morgan Hartman," he said. "I thought for the limited amount of training she's had, she ran a very disciplined race."

Fellow freshman Hillary Laird (Kansas City, Mo.) also ran a strong race, claiming 10th place in 16:28.2. Also competing for the Huskers was sophomore Christy Linnell (Papillion, Neb.), who finished 16th (17:05.0) and senior Deb Osteen (Clayton, Calif.), who finished 23rd in 17:43.8. Sophomore Melissa Drozda (Omaha, Neb.) made the trip, but was unable to finish because of difficulties with her allergies.

On the men's side, Wyatt, who ran especially well near the end of the race, covered the 6,000-meter course in the winning time of 18:49.6. He was followed closely by fellow freshman and teammate Eric Rasmussen. Rasmussen, a North Platte, Neb., native, crossed the line in third place in a time of 19:04.0. Jed Barta, a sophomore from Idaho Falls, Idaho, took fourth in 19:16.9, while sophomore Phillip Davis (Watertown, S.D.) finished 11th (20:04.9).

Dirksen said he was pleased with his team's performance in the first meet of the season.

"I think overall, we had a good meet," Dirksen said. "It was a good start to the season.

The Huskers will take a week off before hosting the Woody Greeno/Nebraska Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 16. The meet will be held at Pioneers Park with the women's 5,000-meter race scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., followed by the men's 8,000-meter race at approximately 10:45 a.m.