Cross Country Competes at Woody Greeno Meet

Lincoln, Nebraska ~ Dana Cross Country traveled to Lincoln on Saturday, not for the much-hyped football game, but for one of the largest meets in the Midwest. There were 223 women competing in the meet and 268 men.  The weather was great and the course was in great shape.  It was a very tough field in both races that featured runners from NCAA Division I and II, NAIA, and some of the top junior colleges in the region. 

The Viking men finished in 17^th place in the college division (non-Division I teams) and 20^th overall in the meet.  The women finished 15^th in the college division and 20^th in the combined standings.

Cory Logsdon (SO, Fort Calhoun, Neb.) led the men with a time of 27:06.  Logsdon’s time placed him 37^th in the college standings and 64th overall.  Eric Bane (SR, Oakland, Iowa) was the next finisher for the Vikings in 27:43, which placed him 65^th in the college division and 95th overall.  Andrew Palmblade (SO, Hastings, Neb.) came in with a time of 27:53.  He finished 73^rd in the college division and 108^th overall.  James Gerold (FR, Hastings, Neb.) finished in 100th place (158^th overall) in 28:51.  Kevin Bane (JR, Oakland, Iowa) rounded out the Viking top five in 28:52 and in 102^nd place (158^th). 

“The top three men ran very smart,” said Head Coach Marc Bierbaum  “They moved through the field from start to finish.  To have three guys less than 28 minutes this early is a good thing for our men.” 

Mason Lantz (FR, Fairfield, Iowa) negotiated the course in 29:51.  His times were good enough for 124^th in the college division and 209^th overall.  Bryson Pascua (SO, Pearl City, Hawaii) completed the course in 30:22.35.  Justin Nielsen (FR, Omaha, Neb.) finished the meet in 225^th place with a time of 30:34.  Rounding out the Viking runners were Tyler Petersen (SO, Blair, Neb.) in 31:40, Dan Staehlin (FR, Omaha, Neb.) in 31:41, and Chris Creal (FR, Omaha, Neb.) in 32:17.

Bierbaum was excited about how his team was pushing each other.  “James and Kevin pushed each other the whole race,” said Bierbaum.  “It was great to see them work together. James is proving to be great runners in only the second meet of his career.”

The Woody Greeno Meet required the women’s runners to run the 6K race.  Normally, NAIA women’s runners compete in a 5K race.  Chelsea Fibranz (SO, McPherson, Kan.) was the top runner on the women’s side.  Fibranz came in with a time of 24:56.  This was good enough for a 55^th place finish in the college division and 82^nd overall.  Jen Anderson (SR, Lincoln, Neb.) was the second Viking to cross the finish line with a time of 25:41.  She finished in 74^th place (113^th overall).  Tabitha Kabala (SR, Davenport, Iowa) finished in 91^st place (139^th overall) with a time of 26:14.

“Both Tabby and Jen ran smart races,” said Bierbaum.  “This will help them as the season continues.”

The next three Viking women to cross the line were Amy Jackman (JR, Seward, Neb.) in 26:28 (99^th / 152^nd), Rachel Ness (SO, Seward, Neb.) finished in 26:32 (101^st / 155^th), and Christine Bailey (SO, Omaha, Neb.) in 26:55 (113^th / 173^rd).  All three runners keyed off of each other the whole race. Rounding out the Viking women runners were Leanna Kalveledge (SO, Plainview, Neb.) in 207^th place with a time of 28:57.  Emily Johnson (FR, Sheridan, Ark.) finished in 216^th place with a time of 29:52. 

“The women ran great,” said Bierbaum.  “This race showed how good the women can be.  The women are starting to believe in themselves more and more with each passing day.”

The Vikings will be competing next weekend at Doane College.  The women are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. and the men at 10:30 a.m.

Meet results can be viewed at:

Men:  http://www.allsportcentral.com/results/results.cfm?EventID=16104

Women:  http://www.allsportcentral.com/results/results.cfm?EventID=16104

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.