CLAREMONT, Calif. – This morning on the campus of Pomona-Pitzer, the Cal Lutheran women’s cross country team ran to an eighth place finish against the best in the West as the senior duo of Ashley Frese and Melissa Skiba punched tickets to the 2013 NCAA Division III Women’s Cross Country National Championships.
Skiba tested Michaela Freeby of Willamette who won the race and led her Bearcats to a first place finish as a team by crossing the line in 21:37.66. Placing second as a group was Claremont-Mudd-Scripps as both teams will travel to Nationals in Hanover, Ind. next weekend on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Running this course for the first time, Skiba described it as a good course with loops and a couple of hills.
The senior harrier was second, completing the 6K in a time of 21:48.10, punching her second consecutive ticket to the D-III championship race. This year, Frese will also represent the Regals at the national level after placing 13th with a finish of 22:51.24.
“There were a lot of talented women in this race and I feel so privileged to have placed as I did,” Skiba went on, “It felt good closing on the track and feeling some speed.”
With runners from the automatically advancing (top two) teams removed from the individual qualifiers, Frese secured the final spot.
“Making it to Nationals was completely unexpected, but I have always known I am capable of exceptional things” Frese said. “My growth as a runner has been shocking to me, but I have embraced every moment.”
She credits her success to a combination of trusting herself and her coaching.
“We have been steadily working since the summer and Coach [Kevin] Smith’s endless support in bettering his athletes is incomparable.”
A pair of seniors concluded her respective collegiate cross country careers today wearing the Violet and Gold for one final time. Natalie Bullock crossed the line in 23:53.02 to place 51st in a field of 141 while Jess Infald was 63rd with a time of 24:11.18.
Also finishing out the 2013 season today for CLU were juniors Taelor Young (24:25.96) and Amanda Miller (24:28.09) and freshman Sarah Parsons (24:47.68).
The group should be satisfied with their accomplishments this season as they prepare for a short break before shifting their focus to track and field season.
“I am very proud of my teammates,” Skiba concluded.
Competition time for Nationals is yet to be determined, but will be available on www.clusports.com as soon as it becomes available.
Joining Frese and Skiba representing the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) as an individual runner is senior Claire Brickson (Pomona-Pitzer) who finished 10th overall.
Tournament Central: 2013 NCAA Division III West Regional
Results: 2013 NCAA Division III West Regional Results
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