Photos courtesy of BJ Pickard (MIAC Associate Commissioner)
WOMEN’S RESULTS | MEN’S RESULTS
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the MIAC Championships Saturday morning, with the women’s team finishing fifth of the 12 MIAC competitors, while the men finished seventh of 11. Carleton finished as the MIAC Champions for the women, while St. Olaf claimed the men’s title.
Evelyn Villalobos (Jr., Crystal) led the Gustie women, placing her fifth top-ten finish of the year, crossing the finish line in 23:07.85, good for a ninth-place conference finish. Villalobos, as one of the top-15 finishers, earns MIAC All-Conference honors, her second is as many years.
“Evelyn continues to grow and get better, running with women that will be at the top level,” said Head Coach Brenden Huber. “She’s getting great experience with potential All-Americans, and she’s proven this year that she can succeed at the top level.”
It would be first-year Molly Liston (Fy., Richfield) to cross the line next, placing 33rd in her first conference championship with a time of 24:45.55. Sydney Hagen (So., Starbuck) wasn’t far behind, posting a time of 24:58.52 for a 41st place finish. Taina Koivisto (Sr., Babbitt) was fourth to cross for the Gusties, placing 49th (25:21.29), and Claire Schoenfield (Jr., Mundelein, Ill.) rounded out the Gustie top-five, placing 55th in 25:31.02.
“For our women to be five points out of fourth place with an entire new cast in the lineup, it was great to see them step up, especially on a stage as big as this. Each and every one of them ran their hearts out. They all left their best out there, and I could not be more proud of the way the women competed today.”
On the men’s side, Jake Wielgos (Sr., Elburn, Ill.) led the way for the Gusties, posting a finish of 32nd in 26:43.39. Wielgos was followed closely by teammate Logan McCullough (Jr., Waverly, Iowa), who finished 33rd with a time of 26:44.48. Tucker Wallin (Sr., Red Wing) would be next for the Gusties, finishing in 26:50.19, good for 37th-place. Henry Hinchliffe (Sr., Austin) and Korrigan Diercks (Jr., Utica) wrapped up the top-five for the Gusties, placing finishes of 55th (27:23.32) and 75th (27:48.22).
“We tried a new tactic for our men today, and we’re really proud of how they packed up and moved together as a team. With 2,000 meters to go we were sitting in ninth. Finishing eight points out of fifth proves how well we moved as a group today. We had some guys take some really big shots. Some didn’t pay off, but a bunch of guys stepped up. We saw a solid team effort all the way through the race. Our guys stuck their noses in it and competed hard on a big stage.”
The Gusties are back in action next Friday, as they head to Collegeville, Minn. to take part in the Saint John’s Fall Finale.