The Dordt University women's cross country team finished second at the Mount Marty Invite held this morning on the Fox Run Golf Course in Yankton, S.D.
Competing in one final race prior to the conference championship in two weeks, the Defenders are running at their near best, finishing a close second to the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.), an NCAA D-II program. Dordt totaled 44 points and had all seven of its counting runners finish in the top 20, placing 10 points behind USF. The Defenders were the top NAIA team by a wide margin, finishing 37 points in front of third place Northwestern and 54 ahead of Concordia, two teams that are earning votes in the NAIA polls.
Jessica Kampman recorded her third consecutive runner-up finish and completed the 5K course in 18:18. Kampman has also finished second at the Briar Cliff and Defender Invites. The junior ran 22 seconds faster than last year's time at the Mount Marty Invite and held the lead for the first half of the race.
Khot Juac (USF) won the individual title with a 5K time of 18:02.
Kristine Honomichl and
Lucy Borkowski recorded seventh and eighth place finishes, giving Dordt three runners in the top 10. The Defenders duo ran together and supported each other throughout the entire race and finished with times of 18:55 and 18:56.
Dordt had its next three runners close behind and finish in the top 20.
Molly Mulder moved up throughout the race and was the Defenders fourth runner to finish, posting a time of 19:20.
Anika Homan returned to competition after missing the Defenders home meet and finished right behind Mulder, in 16th place with a time of 19:22.
Jessica Opfer placed 18th (19:23) while
Elyse Kuperus finished 21st and was the seventh Dordt runner to cross the finish line.
Three Defenders ran personal bests this week;
Ellie Janda,
Abigail Ruse and
Ella Veldkamp.
Seven Dordt runners bettered their time from last year's meet;
Lucy Borkowski,
Greichaly Ellens, Saide Feucht,
Anika Homan,
Jessica Kampman,
Elyse Kuperus and
Whitney Minderhoud.
The women's team had a strong day today with Jessica leading the women's team with an outstanding second-place individual finish," stated Dordt Head Coach Nate Wolf. "Lucy raced very well through the middle portion of her race providing support for Kristine as they worked together for a solid second and third position within our team and top 10 individual finishes as well. Molly and Jessica continued strong freshman seasons rounding out our top five. We look forward to the postseason portion of our race schedule in two weeks in Jamestown, North Dakota."
The Defenders will have two weeks off from competition before running in the GPAC Championship on Nov. 5 in Jamestown, N.D.
Top Seven Dordt Runners:
Personal Bests:
Defenders Who Ran Faster Times This Year:
