Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Results

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky. (Nov 20, 2021) – The North Central College men's cross country team has battled against experience throughout the year and closed out the 2021 season today with a 15th-place team finish and one All-American on the awards stand at the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championship at E.P. State Park in Louisville, Kentucky.

With only one Cardinal with Nationals experience, and six making their Nationals debut, trouble loomed early for the Cardinals as the 294-athlete field got out fast, ultimately sucking the Cardinals into a large cyclone almost instantly on the six-kilometer course.

Gabe Pommier made his way towards the front pack sitting 22nd at the one-kilometer mark and reeled in the lead group for the majority of the race. At the 6.4 kilometer mark, just under 1.5-kilometers to go, Pommier kicked it into high gears to move up 12 spots to 15th as he crossed the finish line. Pommier turned in a nearly 30-second personal-best time of 24 minutes, and six point two seconds to secure his second All-American cross country title. Back in 2019, Pommier finished 33rd overall to earn his first cross country All-American title. 

Connor Riss also had a hard close in his nationals debut, moving up 29 spots in the last 1.5-kilometers to finish 106th in 24 minutes and 54.7 seconds, only one second off from his personal best time. Julian Higueros (24:56.8) was the next Cardinal through the line in 116th followed by Kyle Bell (25:05.2) in 149th. Freshman Colin Kachlic (25:13.1) moved up 15 positions in the last 1.5 kilometers to finish 170th with Jonathan Olenek (25:15.1) close behind in 174th with a 23 second personal best for the freshman.

"We're a young team and now six more people got national experience. We have one guy that's ever been to a national meet and that's Gabe. So we knew we were going to have to gain more experience and we did," said head coach Frank Gramarosso. "They ran really well, as young as they are. One season has to build upon the next. These young guys did a great job and now they're gaining experience for the future. I'm very pleased that they can go out there and compete."

North Central finished 15th overall with 419 points. Pomona-Pitzer, who was consistently ranked No. 2 all season, took the championship title with an 80-point win. MIT placed second with 122 points followed by Williams College in third with 167 points. 

The Cardinals had growth as their main goal this season and will carry that mindset into the indoor track and field season as their young team continues to gain experience at high levels of competition.

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