Dickson Fourth, SPU Men 19th at NCAA Cross Country Championships
November 20, 2004

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Nov. 20) ­ Karen Dickson finished fourth -- the best placement by a Seattle Pacific University runner in 16 years -- and the Falcon men took 19th at the NCAA Division II cross Country championships Saturday at the University of Southern Indiana.

SPU's Karen Dickson finished fourth -- the best placement by a Seattle Pacific University runner in 16 years -- and earned All-America status for her performance.

Dickson (So., El Dorado Hills, Ca./Oak Ridge) kept pace with defending champion Chelsea Smith (Spokane, Wa./Mead) of Brigham Young Hawaii for much of the race, but then lost ground and was eventually overtaken just before the finish by two other runners. Still, Dickson easily earned an All-America certificate, the first by an SPU harrier in five seasons.

"Karen ran as hard as she could," said SPU coach Doris Heritage. "The conditions were slippery, muddy and difficult, and she's still got another two years to come back here. The top five was our goal so we're very happy."

Smith, the West Region winner, earned her second straight NCAA title, completing the 6-kilomater course in 21 minutes, 33 seconds. Dickson's time was 21:43. The last time a Falcon finished among the top five was Bente Moe, a runner-up in 1987.

Seattle Pacific was making its first NCAA men's team appearance and taking its first trip to a national meet in 43 years. The Falcons, who were ranked No. 23 in the national poll this week, also achieved their goal of breaking into the top 20.

Tim LeCount (Jr., Battle Ground, Wa.) was the top scorer, as has been all season, finishing 73rd and running the 10k in 34:16. Nicodemus Naimadu of Abilene Christian out-leaned Western State's Oliver Bodor, both earning a time of 31:38.

Western State (Co.) regained the national title from rival Adams State (Co.) 39-76. Seattle Pacific, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion, totaled 512 points. Adams State retained its women's team crown, easily distancing itself from second place Edinboro (Pa.), 31-106.

Men's Team Scores: 1-Western State 39; 2-Adams State 76; 3-Abilene Christian 137; 4-Chico State 144; 5-Harding 196; 6-Grand Valley State 213; 7-Edinboro 231; 8-Hillsdale 246; 9-Lock Haven 256; 10-Kennesaw State 271; (14 others)14-Cal Poly Pomona 344; 19-Seattle Pacific 512.
Individuals (10,000 Meters): 1-Nicodemus Naimadu, ACU, 31:38.1; 2-Oliver Bodor, WSC, 31:38; 3-Kelly Christensen, WSC, 31:52; 4-Peter Kosgei, HAR, 32:02; 5-Joshua Merrick, ASU, 32:08.
SPU finishers: 64- Tim LeCount, 34:16.0; 100-Bjorn Bostrom, 34:58.5; 105-Doug Gibson, 35:02.8; 117-Brian Cronrath, 35:22.3; 126-Paul Mach, 35:42.3; 143-Eddie Strickler, 36:17.4; 154-James Rosser, 36:54.2.

Women: Team Scores: 1.-Adams State 31; 2-Edinboro 101; 3-Western State 134; 4-Grand Valley State 171; 5-Kennesaw State 215; 6-Chico State 219; 7-Northern Michigan 234; 8-Tampa 242; 9-Harding 277; 10-Central Missouri 322; (14 others)17-UC San Diego 382; 21-Alaska Anchorage 489.
Individuals (6,000 Meters): 1-Chelsea Smith, BYUH, 21:33.0; 2-Allison Kreutzer, CSU, 21:3666 3-Alisha Williams, WSC, 21:42; 4-Karen Dickson, SPU, 21:43.4; 5-Victoria Martinez, ASU, 21:46.