Crofford Wins Again at South Dakota State Classic

Brookings, S.D. ?Sophomore Lara Crofford continued to dominate with another individual victory on the women’s side while redshirt freshman David Adams led the men’s team to another team title as the Husker cross country teams competed on Saturday at the South Dakota State Classic in Brookings, S.D.

Crofford has followed a sensational freshman year that saw her earn All-Big 12, All-Midwest Region and make a trip to the NCAA Championships with two meet wins so far during her young sophomore campaign.  The Newville, Pa., native was running against a strong field that was filled with a host of Minnesota runners, including U.S. Olympic Trials participant Heather Dorniden. Crofford finished the 5K race in 17:31, just two seconds ahead of Megan Duwell of Minnesota.

Crofford’s victory was not enough to power the Big Red past No. 4 Minnesota, who had six runners in the top 10. The Huskers finished runner-up with Crofford joined by teammates Rachel Carrizales (9th - 17:58), Jen Pancoast (13th ? 18:12) and Natalja Zarcenko (16th ? 18:32) in the top 20. Zarcenko was a welcome addition to the team as it was her first race of the season after recovering from a foot injury.

 “(Lara) Crofford was awesome for us,” Head Coach Jay Dirksen said. “It was great to have Natalja (Zarcenko) back and with this being her first race we know she is just going to get better each week.”

On the men’s side, Adams continued to shine in his first season in the scarlet and cream. The York, Neb., native has led the men at all four meets during the season, leading them to three meet titles. Adams finished fourth overall with a time of 25:34 on the 8K course, as he was beat out by Brad Lowery (SDS Alumni) who ran a time of 24:47 and former Husker Peter van der Westhuizen (unattached) who ran a time of 25:20. James Krajsa of Minnesota State (25:20) was the only collegiate to down Adams.

“David (Adams) ran well for us and it was against some decent runners,” Dirksen said. “Both teams are starting to come together, particularly the men as a team.”

Todd Gulizia (6th - 25:47), Mikel Thomas (9th - 26:02), Kyle Custer (12th - 26:07) and Peter Falcon (15th - 26:25) joined Adams in the top 15, easily putting the Husker men in first place with 38 points. The Huskers finished ahead of North Dakota State and Minnesota State who each totaled 88 points.

The Huskers will now have two weeks off before they split up and compete at the Indiana State Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind., and the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Ark., on Saturday, Oct. 18. Check Huskers.com for more details.