Webers and Adams Win Individual Titles

Omaha ? The Nebraska cross country team kicked off the 2008 campaign on Saturday at the Creighton/UNO Classic at the Chili Greens. The Huskers swept the individual titles as redshirt freshman David Adams won the men’s 6K race in 19:05.73 and sophomore Jen Webers won the women’s 4K race in 14:37.

 

Adams’ victory powered the men’s team to its first team victory at the meet since 2006, after finishing runner-up last year. Adams was followed by five other Huskers in the top 10, including Peter Falcon (fifth), Mikel Thomas (sixth), Anthony Oberle (seventh), Bryce Somer (eighth) and Brad Doering (ninth). True freshman Jesse Adams finished 11th in his first collegiate race with a time of 19:56.74

 

After three straight wins, the women’s squad finished runner-up to Augustana College (Sioux Falls, S.D.). Following a redshirt year in 2007, senior Betsy Miller finished third in her first race since Nov. 11, 2006. The Huskers saw promise out of their newcomers as true freshman Erica Hamik (seventh), Katie White (10th) and Michelle Fluitt (12th) finished 3-5-6 for the Big Red. After not competing in 2007 and redshirting the 2008 track and field season due to a stress fracture, redshirt freshman Ashley Miller finished eighth overall and fourth among Husker runners.

 

“I thought we looked strong today,” Head Coach Jay Dirksen said. “Jen (Webers) and David (Adams) looked like they were in control today. It was great to see some of these kids get out and put the uniform on for the first time.”

 

Both the men and women sent very young squads, as 15 of the runners were sophomores or freshmen. The Husker veterans continue to get ready for the BYU Autumn Classic next weekend in Provo, Utah.

The BYU Autumn Classic is set to start at 11 a.m. (Central) at the Clarence F. Robinson Track. The women’s 5K race will be first with the men to follow at 11:50 a.m. with a four-mile race.