By Bryson Hartzler, sports information assistant

Men's Results http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/crosscountry/2012/hcacmen.htm  

Women's Results http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/crosscountry/2012/hcacwomen.htm

The Bluffton University men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships, which returned to Bluffton for the first time since 2005. More than 200 runners from the conference’s 10 member colleges and universities toed the line to determine a conference champion. Manchester University’s men and women claimed their fourth and third consecutive conference titles, respectively.

Men

The men finished fifth overall, just six points behind fourth place finisher Defiance College. Ryan Schadewald (Lima/Bath) was the first Beaver to cross the line in 27:35.5, averaging 3:27/K to finish in 18th place. Schadewald’s performance earned him a spot on the honorable mention All-Conference team. Freshman Kevin Stewart (Springfield/Emmanuel Christian Academy) came in right behind Schadewald in 20th place, finishing in 27:39.8. Stewart was also named to honorable mention all-HCAC, in addition to being named the Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year. Fellow freshman Colin McCloskey (Sylvania/Northview) rounded out the top three for the Beavers in 24th place with a time of 27:46.9. Senior captain Chris Arnold (Fort Wayne, Ind./Canterbury) was named to the All-Sportsmanship team following his final HCAC cross country performance.

Head Coach Karen Brandt was extremely pleased with the men’s performance. “Watching the top five finishers of the men’s team is one of the most exciting and proud moments of my coaching career. We are looking forward to an equally fine or better performance at regionals.”

Women

The women finished in sixth place, led once again by their senior captain Alison Janzen (Whitewater, Kan./Remington). Janzen ran an outstanding race in her last HCAC Championship, crossing the line in 24:30.3 which was good enough for 7th place. Janzen’s performance earned her a spot on the all-Heartland Conference team as well as the All-Sportsmanship Team. Freshman Demi Snider (Kenton) finished in 20th place with a time of 25:26.4 earning her a spot on the honorable mention All-Conference team. Fellow freshman Tara Murphy (Westerville/Thomas Worthington) finished right behind Snider in 23rd place, running a time of 25:41.3.

Coach Brandt was also excited about the women’s finish, especially from Alison Janzen. “Alison Janzen’s All-Conference performance is the culmination of two years of dedicated hard work, and I am extremely proud of and happy for her. With the strong performances of the freshmen at positions two and three, we are continuing to build the foundation for a great program.”

The Beavers are off next weekend but will return to action on November 10 at the NCAA regional meet held on the campus of Andersen University.