Women take 11th place at NJCAA Div. I Cross Country National Championships
On a cold November morning in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the Butler Grizzly cross country teams completed the 2020 season at the NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships. The women's team finished 11th and the men took 10th at the NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships.
"I am so proud of how they overcame all the adversity this season tossed at us and finished much better than we did a season ago at this meet," said head coach Dustin Mettler.
Led by sophomore Zadie St. Louis, the Butler women finished 11th as a team in the NJCAA Division I 5K National Championship race, six spots better than 2019 when they took 17th overall at the national meet. Zadie has paced the Grizzlies women's team all season long and did the same Saturday as she finished 26th with a time of 20:23.93.
After the first mile, Zadie was sitting in 25th place running a 6:11 first mile. She held that position throughout and fell just one spot back in the final few minutes of the race very competitive race.
"Zadie ran well and had a good race," said Mettler, "but she wasn't satisfied with her finish. She is already talking about track season and ready to get to work in the spring."
Sylvia Korir finished 34th in the 104-runner field coming in with a time of 20:43.80. Sophomore Stephany Lechuga ran a 21:18.37 taking 51st place in the National Meet. She was followed by freshman Emily Hankins who took 61st with a 21:48.09. Leyni Gomez ran a great race with a time of 22:43.71 to take 79th in the race. Ann Dangha took 95th with a 25:01.27.
Women's Results:
Zadie St. Louis: 26th – 20:23.93
Sylvia Korir: 34th – 20:43.80
Stephany Lechuga: 51st – 21:18.37
Emily Hankins: 61st – 21:48.09
Leyni Gomez: 79th – 22:43.71
Ann Dangha: 95th – 25:01.27
Full list of Meet Results- HERE
The Butler men made leaps and bounds this season as they took 10th place at the National meet, the same meet just a year ago where they finished 28th overall.
"This men's team really stepped it up this season," said Mettler. "Tarik, Obadia and Juan all ran like sophomore leaders and freshman Issa and Daniel really started to find their groove at this level."
Tarik Xavier earned All-American for his performance Saturday leading the Grizzlies to a 10th place finish and coming in 25th individually with a time of 26:35.79.
"Tarik ran really good," mentioned Mettler. "He surprised me with his finish, but I knew all along he could do it. It was just a matter of him thinking and knowing he could do it."
Obadia Tanui was on his teammates heels the entire race finishing 29th with a time of 26:44.56. Juan Tovar finished 72nd for Butler running a 28:19.38 while freshman Issa Amfa kept pace close behind coming in 75th at 28:28.57. Daniel Birchell took 93rd in the 150-runner field running a 29:11.79 while Luis Manqueros finished 116th coming in at 30:06.81 in the 8K race.
Men's Results:
25th- Tarik Xavier: 26:35.79
Obadia Tanui: 29th – 26:44.56
Juan Tovar: 72nd – 28:19.38
Issa Amfa: 75th 28:28.57
Daniell Birchell: 93rd – 29:11.79
Luis Manqueros: 116th – 30:06.81
Full list of Meet Results- HERE
The Grizzlies can be proud of their remarkable season that almost didn't happen with COVID-19 lingering in the balance.
"It will definitely be a season to remember," commented Mettler. "It was a fun season even though we had to adjust almost everything due to COVID. A season I will never forget and a group of runners that never showed any doubt or quit all season long."
The team will now take winter break and come back in January to prepare for indoor track & field which is set to start in late January.
