Angie Berry Nov. 17, 2007

Central’s Berry 63rd in NCAA meet

NORTHFIELD, MINN.—Central College’s Angie Berry (sophomore, Norwalk) closed out the women’s cross country campaign Saturday by finishing 63rd in the 280-runner competition NCAA Division III meet.    

Berry posted a 6,000-meter time of 22:40 on the St. Olaf College campus course.

“Angie ran a great race,” said head coach David Paulsen. “She did everything we talked about.”

Berry’s performance did not match her showing last Saturday on the same course when she finished with a career-best time of 22:23 in the regional meet. It was Berry’s second NCAA national meet appearance, placing 37th as a freshman last year at West Chester, Ohio.

“I am not disappointed,” said Paulsen. “It was a deep, talented field. Every day is different and that’s what makes cross country fun. You can’t expect to run the same time because conditions and the field are different.”

Sarah Zerzan of Willamette University (Ore.) took first individually in 20:54. With the top 35 runners receiving all-American honors, Nikki Umhoefer of Bethel (Minn.) had the cut-off time of 22:11 in 35th.

Amherst College (Mass.) was the team champion with a score of 120 and Luther was the top Iowa Conference finisher by placing 10th with 325.

Paulsen is enthusiastic about next season.

“With the other runners on the team coming up here and watching this event and the excitement, I think it will push us to get a team here,” he said. “I think Angie’s finish will only fuel the fire for her and for the rest of the team as well.”