Chase Ungs Nov. 10, 2007

Season-best times abound for men at regional meet

NORTHFIELD, MINN.—Angie Berry (sophomore, Norwalk) utilized a career-best 6,000-meter time of 22:23 and a sixth-place individual finish Saturday to propel her to the NCAA Division III national meet Nov. 17 at Northfield, Minn. where she will be the lone Central representative.

By placing in the top seven, Berry is assured of a spot in the national meet.

It’s the second straight NCAA national meet berth for Berry and the third berth for a Central women’s squad member in the past four years. Berry is the first Central runner to qualify twice since Teresa Newcomb did so in 1989 and 1990 and the first ever to do so in her first two years of college competition. In last year’s regional meet, conducted on the same course but under wintry conditions, Berry finished 13th in 23:05.

“Angie did a great job of running her own race,” said head coach David Paulsen. “She stayed within herself and kept battling. She rose up and did a great job of competing. She has the goal to be an all-American this year and is chomping at the bit after missing out by two spots last year when she finished 37th. She’s got the right attitude and work ethic to accomplish it.”

The Central women placed 11th in the 23-team meet standings with Luther taking the title. Luther’s Janet Dobyns Luther was the individual champion with a time of 21:38.

“The women did a great job against a deep and talented regional field,” said Paulsen. “I’m proud of them, and they should be proud of themselves.”

Jess Clark (junior, Port Byron, Ill.) was the second Central runner to finish, placing 44th. Clark posted a season-best time of 23:44 which was a mere one second off her career-best time she posted Oct. 14, 2006 at the Tori Neubauer Invitational in West Salem, Wis.

Teammate Hannah Anderson (junior, Goodell, Garner-Hayfield HS) followed in 57th (23:56), with Amy Ledvina (sophomore, Toledo, South Tama HS) 82nd (24:19), Connie Eshelman (junior, Bridgewater, Nodaway Valley HS) 97th (24:43), Amber Mayer (sophomore, Essex, Shenandoah HS) 98th (24:44) and Jenni Hufford (sophomore, Polk City, Ankeny HS) 104th (24:52).

Season-best times abound for men—The Central College men’s cross country team saw four season-best times out of their top five finishers Saturday at the NCAA Division III Central Regional meet.

“The men did a fantastic job,” said Paulsen. “They put the conference meet behind them and did a good job of closing the gap on the competition. It was their best meet of the season and it was fun to see them compete at such a high level.”

Pierre Taylor (sophomore, Oswego, Ill.) paced the Dutch with a 71st-place finish with a season-best 8,000-meter time of 27:05 as Central placed 17th in the 23-team meet.

Neb. Wesleyan took the title in the meet with Chris Erichsen from St. John’s (Minn.) winning the event with a time of 24:58.

On Taylor’s heels were Jaron Byrum (junior, Mount Union, New London HS) in 77th with a season-best time of 27:16, Chase Ungs (senior, Ames, Gilbert HS) 101st (27:43), Teddy Clark (junior, Montgomery, Ill.) 102nd in a season-best time of 27:44, Derek Townsend (junior, Perry) 118th in a season-best time of 28:33, Cory Fitzsimmons (sophomore, Pella) 124th (28:45) and Austin Vondracek (freshman, Swisher, Cedar Rapids Prairie HS) 131st (29:13).

The meet saw the finish of Ung’s career who is the lone senior runner on either team.

“We were fortunate to have Chase this year,” said Paulsen. “He provided us with leadership during some tough times this year. He was a great person to guide our team, and he will be missed next year.”