Logsdon Qualifies for Nationals

The men’s and women’s cross country teams ran at the NAIA Region III Championships last weekend in Sioux Falls, S.D.  Region III is one of the toughest cross country regions for both men’s and women’s teams in the nation.  The meet featured three top 25 men’s teams and four top 25 women’s teams. 

Mother Nature did not help the runners on Saturday.  The runners faced cold and windy conditions.  Despite the weather conditions, the Vikings ran very well.  All nine Viking women runners posted personal bests in the meet.

Chelsea Fibranz (SO, McPherson, Kan.) continued to lead the Vikings.  Fibranz placed 58^th overall with a time of 20:23.  Following Fibranz was a tight knit pack of Vikings who were separated by 47 seconds.  Leading the pack were Jen Anderson (SR, Lincoln, Neb.) in 69^th place with a time of 20:50.  Teammate Tabitha Kabala (SR, Davenport, Iowa) was just seconds behind in 74^th place with a time of 20:59. 

“The seniors ran very hard,” said Coach Marc Bierbaum.  “They ran hard and hopefully set a tone for our returning runners next season.”

Next in the Viking pack was Paris Kono (FR, Waukee, Iowa) in 88^th place with a time of 21:25.  Rachel Ness (SO, Seward, Neb.) was close behind with a time of 21:37 and in 99^th place.  Next for Dana was Amy Jackman (JR, Seward, Neb.) with a time of 22:17.  Freshman Emily Johnson (Sheridan, Ark.) covered the five kilometer course in 22:59.

Other Viking Finishers

Christine Bailey (SO, Omaha, Neb.)                 23:25

Leanna Kalveladge (SO, Plainview, Neb.)        24:35

Kaleigh Flippin (JR, Omaha, Neb.)                   24:46

Ashley Nigh (FR, Omaha, Neb.)                       27:51

“The ladies ran very well,” said Bierbaum.  “We beat some teams that beat us earlier in the year.  The ladies had and an up and down year, which ended on a positive note.”

The Viking women placed 15^th out of 18 teams in the regional meet.

For complete results:

http://www.dana.edu/cross_country/Results_2007/NAIA_III_Womens5k.htm

The men's side was highlighted by six all-time personal records and one runner qualifying for the national meet.  Cory Logsdon (SO, Ft. Calhoun, Neb.) finished the eight kilometer course in a time of 25:45, which placed him seventh overall.  His mark was good enough to qualify for the national cross country race in Kenosha, Wis.  Logsdon also was the top runner from the GPAC. 

“Cory ran a great race,” said Bierbaum.  “He is a very strong runner and he showed it.  To improve from 11th in the conference meet last week and then becoming a top ten finisher is amazing.  He beat some runners he has never beaten before.  It says a lot about his training and toughness.”

Following Logsdon was the lone senior on the men’s roster Eric Bane (Oakland, Iowa).  Bane covered the course in 26:41 and placed 34^th overall.  Andrew Palmblade (SO, Hastings, Neb.) and Kevin Bane (SO, Oakland, Iowa) placed in the top 50.  Palmblade came in 43^rd place overall with a time of 26:48.  Bane finished with a time of 26:59 and came in 47^th overall.

“Eric has had a tremendous career for Dana and will be missed,” said Bierbaum.  “We have three sophomores (Logsdon, Palmblade, and Kevin Bane) who are starting to understand how to run college races.” 

Rounding out scoring for the Vikings were Mason Lantz (FR, Fairfield, Iowa) in 93^rd place with a time of 28:27.  James Gerold (FR, Hastings, Neb.) ran the windy course in 28:40 and placed 100^th overall.  Bryson Pascua (SO, Pearl City, Hawaii) was the final Viking to earn team points.  Pascua finished the meet in 126^th place with a time of 29:31. 

Other Viking Finishers

Justin Nielsen (FR, Omaha, Neb.)                     29:59

Dan Staehlin (FR, Omaha, Neb.)                      30:31

Tyler Peterson (SO, Blair, Neb.)                       31:07

“The Viking men were hoping on extending their season into nationals,” said Bierbaum.  “They ran very tough in one of the toughest regions.  In a lot of the regions they may have came out on top.  The Vikings finished 6^th, beating some conference teams that have beat them earlier in the year.”

The men’s team finished sixth out of 16 teams competing at regionals.

For complete men’s results: 

http://www.dana.edu/cross_country/Results_2007/NAIA_III_Mens8k.htm

Logsdon will run in the 52nd Annual Men's and 28th Annual Women's NAIA Cross Country National Championship. The races will be held at Dr. Wayne E. Dannehl Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wis., on Saturday, Nov. 17.

For more information contact:  Shad Beam, Sports Information director at 402-426-7389 or sbeam@dana.edu or Francisco Lujan, Assistant Sports Information at flujan@dana.edu or 402-426-7949.