Junior Donny Wasinger Headed to 2010 NCAA Cross Country National Championships
Nov. 13, 2010
–
Peoria, Ill. — Junior Donny Wasinger earned an automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Cross Country National Championships after an impressive tenth-place finish at the Midwest Regional Championships on Saturday, Nov. 13, in Peoria, Ill. As one of the top finishers not on a nationals’ qualifying team, Wasinger will get the chance to compete in Terre Haute, Ind. on Nov. 22.
Wasinger, a Winona, Min. native, finished tenth in a field of 171 runners, posting a career-best 10K time of 30:05.3. Wasinger is the first Kansas male runner to compete in the NCAA Cross Country National Championship since 2006.
With Wasinger leading the charge, the men’s team finished 11th in the Midwest Region, collecting 299 total points. Senior Nick Caprario was the Jayhawks’ No. 2 finisher, as she placed 31st overall with a career-best 10K time of 30:50.05. Caprario improved several places from his performance at the 2010 Midwest Regionals meet.
Sophomore Josh Baden was 64th with a time of 31:40.53, while junior Austin Bussing was the Jayhawks No. 4 finisher. Bussing clocked in at 32:02.34.
Rounding out the scoring for the Jayhawks was freshman Nikki Trooien-Smith, who finished 115th with a time of 32:59.25. Freshman Jose Luis Muñoz saw his first regional championships action, as he crossed the finish line in 33:45.25 to take 147th place.
The women’s team took sixth place overall, which was a one-spot improvement from its regional ranking entering this event. The Jayhawks were once again led by junior Rebeka Stowe, who finished in 18th place with a 6K time of 20:40.33.
Sophomore Natalie Becker and junior Tessa Turcotte had strong races in Peoria as well, finishing as the Jayhawks’ No. 2 and No. 3 runners. Becker clocked in at 21:07.74 to take 33rd, while Turcotte posted a 6K time of 21:08.31 to earn 35th.
Sophomore Allie Marquis took 52nd with a time of 21:37.88, and Kara Windisch filled the final scoring position with a 54th-place performance and a time of 21:28.92.
Senior Amanda Miller posted a time of 21:44.10 to take 71st place in a field of 188 runners, in her final race with the crimson and blue.
Sophomore Kyra Kilwien finished the race in 88th place with a time 21:52.38.
The Midwest Regional Championships marks the end of the 2010 season for Kansas Cross Country. Of the athletes competing at this meet, Kansas will graduate two members Amanda Miller and Nick Caprario.
Wasinger will be back in action as an individual competitor at the 2010 NCAA National Championships on Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, Ind.
Post Meet Quotes:
Assistant Coach Michael Whittlesey
On Donny Wasinger:
“He (Wasinger) did what he needed to do and competed the whole way through. He had an amazing race.”
On the women’s team:
“She (Rebeka Stowe) fell the first 1200 meters and it affected her race, but still competed well. Natalie Becker also competed extremely well. It was a big finish for that group and a great way to end the season.”
Women’s Team Results
1. Iowa State
2. Oklahoma State
3. Minnesota
6. Kansas
Men’s Team Results
1. Oklahoma
2. Oklahoma State
3. Minnesota
11. Kansas
