Nov. 24, 2008
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The University of Kentucky women’s cross country team wrapped up the 2008 season at the NCAA Championships hosted by Indiana State University at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Ind. The Wildcats finished 31st overall in their first trip back to the Championships since 1989. On the men’s side, UK sophomore Adam Henken placed 166th overall as an individual runner.
Battling over 250 athletes on the course and brisk weather, senior Jessica Ortman finished first for the Wildcats for the seventh time in as many meets this season with a 6K mark of 21:50, good for 181st overall. Finishing seconds behind Jessica was senior Jenna Ortman clocking in at 21:51 while sophomore Katherine Peterson crossed the line at 21:52. Jenna and Peterson finished in 185th and 186th, respectively.
Senior Andrea Halasek finished her final race as a Wildcat placing 216th overall with a time of 22:10. The fifth scorer for the Wildcats was junior Lindsay Petri with a time of 22:34 in 232nd place. All five UK scorers at the NCAA meet have been consistent throughout the year, having scored in each meet that they have run this season.
Junior Claire Laverty (23:50 – 250th) and sophomore Suzanne Holt (24:12 – 251st) rounded out the UK championship meet line-up.
“We had a tough day out on the course,” said assistant coach for cross country and distance John Mortimer. “It didn’t go as well as we’d hoped, but the important thing is getting a chance to race as a team at the NCAA Championship Meet. It’s a great accomplishment for this team to compete at this level and represent Kentucky for the first time in 19 years. Now we just need to build upon this experience for next season.”
Over 250 men competed on the men’s side as well. Henken finished his first NCAA Championship Meet in 166th overall with a 10K time of 31:25.
“This race was a good experience to build from for a talented, young athlete like Adam,” said Mortimer.
Oregon won the men’s title while fellow Pac-10 member Washington took the women’s crown.
The UK women’s team previously won a National Championship in 1988 and claims a National Runner-Up finish in 1989. The Wildcats also took home third overall in 1986 and placed fourth in 1985.
Click UKathletics.com for the latest cross country post-season news.
