Saturday, November 19
All Day
Samford University
vs
NCAA Championships
Guillorel, Nelson Conclude Seasons At NCAAs
11.19.16 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Not even harsh weather conditions could stop two Samford University cross-country runners from racing their hearts out on Saturday morning at the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships.
Juniors Arsène Guillorel and Karisa Nelson braved near-freezing temperatures and gusty winds to notch a pair of standout performances on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
"The conditions were crazy out there today with a wind chill factor of 28 degrees and winds surging to 30 miles per hour," said Rod Tiffin, Samford director of cross-country. "For those guys to go out and compete in that weather was a victory in itself."
Representing the Bulldog men, Guillorel posted a negative split in the second half of the 10K race to secure a 57th-place finish in 30 minutes, 34.85 seconds. He came through the 5K mark positioned 99th in a time of 15:25. Over the remaining 3.1 miles, he picked off 42 competitors on his way to clocking a 15:09 final 5K.
"He ran a smart race," Samford cross-country coach Pat McGregor said. "I thought he did a really good job of sticking to a good race plan."
Guillorel's top 60 showing represented a significant improvement from his first NCAA appearance last fall. In 2015, Guillorel placed 164th in 31:32.8.
"Arsène ran great in his second consecutive championship," Tiffin said. "I think he learned a lot about racing in that field from a year ago, and it showed today."
Villanova University's Patrick Tiernan won the men's race in 29:22. Northern Arizona University captured the team title with 125 points.
Competing at her first NCAA national cross-country meet, Nelson finished 107th in the women's 6K with a time of 20:52.2. She came through the 4K mark positioned 77th in 13:38, but faded gradually over the final 2K.
"I think she learned a lot today on what she'll have to do in the future in order to be where she wants," McGregor said, "and that's what is important."
Saturday's race capped a breakthrough season for Nelson, who became the first Samford female since 2012 to earn a bid to NCAAs. In October, she was named the Southern Conference Women's Runner of the Year after placing first at the SoCon Championships.
"Karisa had a great season, and we are so proud of the huge forward steps she is taking in her career," Tiffin said. "This should give her added fuel for the indoor and outdoor season."
The University of Missouri's Karissa Schweizer won the women's race in 19:41.6. The University of Oregon nipped the University of Michigan, 125-126, to take the team title.
The NCAA national meet concluded Samford's 2016 cross-country campaign. The Bulldog distance crew will now join its sprinting, jumping, throwing and vaulting counterparts to prepare for the upcoming indoor track and field season.
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Juniors Arsène Guillorel and Karisa Nelson braved near-freezing temperatures and gusty winds to notch a pair of standout performances on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
"The conditions were crazy out there today with a wind chill factor of 28 degrees and winds surging to 30 miles per hour," said Rod Tiffin, Samford director of cross-country. "For those guys to go out and compete in that weather was a victory in itself."
Representing the Bulldog men, Guillorel posted a negative split in the second half of the 10K race to secure a 57th-place finish in 30 minutes, 34.85 seconds. He came through the 5K mark positioned 99th in a time of 15:25. Over the remaining 3.1 miles, he picked off 42 competitors on his way to clocking a 15:09 final 5K.
"He ran a smart race," Samford cross-country coach Pat McGregor said. "I thought he did a really good job of sticking to a good race plan."
Guillorel's top 60 showing represented a significant improvement from his first NCAA appearance last fall. In 2015, Guillorel placed 164th in 31:32.8.
"Arsène ran great in his second consecutive championship," Tiffin said. "I think he learned a lot about racing in that field from a year ago, and it showed today."
Villanova University's Patrick Tiernan won the men's race in 29:22. Northern Arizona University captured the team title with 125 points.
Competing at her first NCAA national cross-country meet, Nelson finished 107th in the women's 6K with a time of 20:52.2. She came through the 4K mark positioned 77th in 13:38, but faded gradually over the final 2K.
"I think she learned a lot today on what she'll have to do in the future in order to be where she wants," McGregor said, "and that's what is important."
Saturday's race capped a breakthrough season for Nelson, who became the first Samford female since 2012 to earn a bid to NCAAs. In October, she was named the Southern Conference Women's Runner of the Year after placing first at the SoCon Championships.
"Karisa had a great season, and we are so proud of the huge forward steps she is taking in her career," Tiffin said. "This should give her added fuel for the indoor and outdoor season."
The University of Missouri's Karissa Schweizer won the women's race in 19:41.6. The University of Oregon nipped the University of Michigan, 125-126, to take the team title.
The NCAA national meet concluded Samford's 2016 cross-country campaign. The Bulldog distance crew will now join its sprinting, jumping, throwing and vaulting counterparts to prepare for the upcoming indoor track and field season.
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
Monday, September 21
Monday, September 14
Sunday, September 13
Monday, September 07
