Hoosiers finish 28th at NCAA Championships

The LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind., seemed to be a place the Hoosiers were not thankful for. \nAfter placing a season low 18th on Oct. 13 in the Pre-Nationals, the Hoosiers once again struggled and placed a new season low of 28th in the NCAA Championships on Nov. 19. However, as this is the National Championship, IU coach Ron Helmer said the team did the best it could and would not let a poor finish take away from a great season overall. \n“This was not a great performance, but it was a really good year for this young group,” Helmer said. “Finishing 28th in the country is not too bad for (this team’s) first time around” \nIndividually, IU was led for the first time this year by junior Timothy McLeod who placed 83rd. He was followed by freshmen Ben Hubers and Cole Hardacre who finished 111th and 127th, respectively. \nFollowing Hardacre was sophomore Jordan Kyle who placed 139th. The finish for Kyle was in stark contrast to his previous performances this year and as an IU freshman. This season, Kyle placed first at the Indiana Invitational and the Indiana Intercollegiates and placed a strong fifth in the Great Lakes Regional Championships. He also placed 33rd as an individual at last year’s National Championships and earned All-American status.\nRounding out the Hoosier lineup were junior Mark Fruin and freshman Jacob Rich who placed 182nd and 206th, respectively. \nWinning the National Championship was Oregon, while Liberty’s Josh McDougal won the men’s race as an individual. \nHelmer said this tournament should teach the Hoosiers important lessons for future seasons. \n“(This season) was a good, solid effort that will hopefully be a great learning experience, and we will go forward and see what happens in the future,” he said.