Huskers Make Strides at Big Ten Championship

Evanston, Ill. - The Husker men's and women's cross country teams competed at the Big Ten Championship on Sunday. The men placed 11th with 284 points, and the women finished 13th with 369 points, both repeating last year's finishes.

Michigan won the men's title with 63 points, while Penn State took the women's title with 53 points.

The 284 team score for the Husker men was their best at the Big Ten Championship since 2011. Junior Peter Spinks came in at 47th with a time of 24:34.9, which is also the highest finish by a Husker men's runner at the Big Ten meet since 2011. Alec Sery was 58th (24:46.0) and Wyatt McGuire was 60th (24:48.9). 

Head Coach David Harris wasn't satisfied with the team's performance but noted that there were improvements and that he has high hopes for the future.

"The men actually improved by some 80 points from last year," Harris said. "We're getting there, but just not fast enough."

The Huskers' top five was rounded out by Jacob Olson in 62nd (24:50.2) and Patrick Letz at 72nd (25:02.7). 

"I was very happy with Wyatt McGuire and Pat Letz," Harris said. "I thought that they had good, solid races. We need that from those guys."

The Husker women finished 13th with 369 points without the help of their top runner, Anna Peer, who redshirted the season with an injury. Sophomore Katrina Santiago led the women's team for the first time this season, placing 72nd with a time of 21:50.7. Megan Lush was 74th at 21:53.4, and Bonnie Smith was 81st at 22:08.3.

"We really miss Anna, but I will say that Katrina Santiago had one of her best races ever," Harris said. "I thought she ran a solid race."

The Huskers will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 13 at the NCAA Regionals in Lawrence, Kan.