Huskers Post Top NCAA Finish Since 1999

Terre Haute, Ind. ? For the first time since 2003, the Nebraska women’s cross country team competed at the NCAA Championships at the LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind. The Huskers finished 25th in the 31-team field, marking the team’s top finish since 1999 when it finished 16th.

Sophomore Lara Crofford led the way for the Big Red with her 45th-place finish, just five spots away from earning All-America honors. Crofford made a huge leap from her freshman season when she qualified individually and placed 85th.

“From talking to Lara (Crofford), I could tell things came to her much easier this time around,” Head Coach Jay Dirksen said. “The experience she got last year really helped at this season’s meet.”

The Huskers finished with 539 points, just one point behind Iowa, who the Huskers defeated at the NCAA Midwest Regional by two points.  The Big Red was also only nine points away from 21st-place Wisconsin, who scored 530 points.

Besides Crofford, the Huskers placed three more in the top 150 with Natalja Callahan (128th), Rachel Carrizales (130th) and Jen Pancoast (132nd). The Huskers were rounded out by Ashley Miller (234th), Betsy Miller (239th) and Jen Webers (244th).

“For everyone but Lara (Crofford), it was their first race at the nationals,” Dirksen said. “That makes a lot of difference.”

For Callahan, Pancoast and Miller, it was their final race in a Husker uniform. Pancoast had a career day, posting the top 6K time of her career with a 21:24.3.

“I’m really proud of our women, they’ve worked really hard for this,” Dirksen said. “This may have been the best race I’ve ever seen Jen run.”

The Huskers will now turn their focus to the 2009 track and field season. Fans can get an early look at the Big Red on Friday, Dec. 12, when the team will compete in its annual intrasquad meet at the Devaney Center Indoor Track. Click here for more information.