Winthrop, MN – Saturday, North Central University (NCU) Men's and Women's Cross Country traveled to Winthrop, MN for the 2024 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Cross Country Championships. This year's meet took place at the Winthrop Golf Club. Junior Garrett Converse led the way for the men's team with a 14th place finish with a time of 28:23.5, setting a new career best in the 8k. On the women's side, freshman Analise Hernandez ran a 30:39.8 6k to lead all Rams. NCU men's cross country took 6th place and the women did not record a team score.
In the men's 8k, Garrett Converse led the team with a time of 28:23.5, taking home 14th place individually and setting a new personal best time. Next up for NCU was freshman Leighton Helander with a time of 30:28.2, good for 34th place and another personal best time. Finishing in 40th place, sophomore David Bjorge raced to a time of 31:30.5. Crossing the finish line next for the Rams was freshman Colton Hagen with a new personal best of 31:51.7. Matthew Holstad and Cameron Stout were the final two runners for NCU with times of 33:31.8 and 33:42.1, respectively.
In the women's 6k race, Analise Hernandez was the first to cross the finish line for the Rams in a time of 30:39.8 and 50th place overall. Sophomore Hope Naegelen ran a 32:08.7 as she placed 55th overall. The final NCU runner was Anna Russell who crossed the finish in a time of 36:01.3.
Women's 6K Individual Results:
Analise Hernandez - 30:39.8, 50th place
Hope Naegelen - 32:08.7, 55th place
Anna Russell - 36:01.3, 61st place
65 Total Runners
Men's 8K Individual Results:
*Garrett Converse - 28:23.5, 14th place
*Leighton Helander - 30:28.2, 34th place
David Bjorge - 31:30.5, 40th place
*Colton Hagen - 31:51.7, 44th place
Matthew Holstad - 33:31.8, 51st place
*Cameron Stout - 33:42.1, 55th place
66 Total Runners
*Personal Best
Looking Ahead:
This wraps up the regular season schedules for the cross country teams. Garrett Converse will compete at the NCCAA National Championship on Friday, November 15th at the Warsaw Community High School in Warsaw, Indiana.
All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) pages for updates on men's and women's cross country and all things NCU Athletics.
