2012 MWC Cross Country Championships Results
Green Bay, WI – The Prairie Fire set six new all-time top 25 marks, including a school record, at the Midwest Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday.
The Knox men’s team, which placed sixth overall, was led by senior Sean Choate (Chicago, IL, Chicago Academy) and junior Gabe Moreno (Galesburg, IL, Galesburg). Choate finished fifth individually with his time of 25:47 and Moreno was 10th after running the race in 26:04. Both are All-Midwest Conference selections.
Choate set a new career-best time, which is the fourth-fastest in school history. His previous top time was 26:01. Moreno, who also beat his previous fastest time (26:07), ranks #11 on the men’s cross country all-time top 25 performances list and #7 on the top 25 individuals by time list.
Making his way on the Top 25 Individuals by Time list is first-year Victor Schultz (Staunton, VA, Robert E. Lee). His time of 27:05 ranks #20 on the list.
Grinnell College won the team championship, the program’s 15th title in the last 16 years and 28th overall. Pioneers’ coach Will Freeman was named the 2012 Midwest Conference Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.
The Knox men’s team placed ahead of Cornell College, Lake Forest College, Beloit College, Illinois College, and Ripon College.
The Prairie Fire women’s team was led by first-year Lizzy Reyes (Oak Park, IL, Oak Park-River Forest). Reyes set a new school record in the 6K when she finished in 24:05. Emma Swanson was the previous record-holder with her time of 24:13 last season. Reyes just missed receiving all-conference honors by finishing 21st overall. The top 20 runners are selected as all-conference performers.
Another first-year runner, Mickella Duffy-Webb (Colorado Springs, CO, William J. Palmer), finished in 24:42, which ranks #7 on the women’s cross country all-time top 25 performance list. Her time is also fourth on the top 25 individuals by time list.
First-year Melissa Silva (Zion, IL, Zion-Benton Township) added her name to the top 25 individuals list at #15 with her time of 26:19.
The Knox women’s team placed ninth in the team standings ahead of Illinois College and Lake Forest College. Monmouth College won its second women's cross country title. The team's coach, Roger Haynes, was named 2012 Midwest Conference Women's Cross Country Coach of tye Year.
The Prairie Fire cross country teams participate next in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh on November 10 at 11:00 a.m.
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