Nov. 10, 2002
Truman Men's Cross Country Team Advances to NCAA Nationals
For the third consecutive year, the Bulldogs men's cross country team advanced to the NCAA Championships following a third-place showing at the South Central Regional held on Saturday in Warrensburg, Mo.
Abilene Christian, the number two team in the country, swept the first five spots to win the meet. Missouri Southern, ranked 13th, had 66 points to finish second and Truman, ranked 14th in the country, had 87 points for its third-place finish. Central Missouri also advanced following a fourth-place finish with 123 points.
Alan Heincker led the way for Truman with a 12th-place finish with a time of 32:59 on the 10k course. Matt Helbig was right behind in 13th-place, finishing in a time of 33:18. Andy Person was 17th overall with a mark of 33:32. Mike Nelson and Brad Peter rounded out the scoring for the Bulldogs. Nelson was 22nd overall with a time of 34:02 and Peter was 23rd, just eight seconds behind Nelson. Pat Boyle was 26th overall with a time of 34:25 and Aaron Wells was 40th with a mark of 35:10.
The NCAA Division II Championships will be held on Nov. 23 in Ashland, Ohio. The Bulldogs finished fourth last year at the Championships and finished 10th in 2000.
South Central Regional Championships
Complete Results
Team Standings 1) Abilene Christian 15 2) Missouri Southern 66 3) Truman 87 4) Central Missouri 123 5) Emporia State 130 6) Northwest Missouri 191 7) Texas A&M-Kingsville 200 8) Pittsburg State 210 9) Southwest Baptist 231 10) Missouri-Rolla 242 11) Tarleton State 322 12) Drury 354 13) Dallas Baptist 371
Bulldog Individual Finishers 12) Alan Heincker 32:59 13) Matt Helbig 33:18 17) Andy Person 33:32 22) Mike Nelson 34:02 23) Brad Peter 34:10 26) Pat Boyle 34:25 40) Aaron Wells 35:10