NCCAA Championship runner-up Bryant Keirns and two other All-Americans led the Eagles to a second-place title at the Houghton, New York meet on Saturday.
It was the second weekend in a row that both Keirns and the Oklahoma Christian University cross-country team recorded second-place finishes.
According to sophomore Sisay Gillock, Men’s Cross-Country Head Coach Wade Miller’s practices for the meet were more than just physical conditioning.
“Coach Miller has been emphasizing our mental preparation since that always plays a big part in big races,” Gillock said.
Gillock, Keirns and Evan Durrill, each 2014 All-Americans, finished in the top 15 of the 195-man field.
Keirns headed Oklahoma Christian’s team with his second-place time of 25:05.9, one second behind the leader – Emmanuel University’s Tucker Hilley. Gillock followed half of a minute later with an eighth-place finish at 25:36.5.
Evan Durrill’s 25:55.1 earned him 14th, Blake Thompson finished 29th with a 26:25.6 and Timothy Zuercher claimed the 30th slot after recording a 26:26.5 on the 8,000-meter course.
Kyle Broaddrick ran a 26:35.8 and Emory Lobely a 26:55.3, finishing 33rd and 45th, respectively.
Miller said runners practiced recording quicker times over a shorter distance in the week leading to the national meet.
“Our training changed slightly with the goal being to adapt to running efficiently at a faster pace,” Miller said.
The Eagles placed fourth in last year’s NCCAA Championship after winning the title in 2012.
The team will use the remainder of the year to recuperate from fatigue and lingering injuries before resuming training early next year.
“We will take a break to rest and mentally and physically recover from the season then refocus for indoor track in January,” Miller said.
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