Cavaliers Run Well at NCAA Southeast Regionals
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November 14, 1998
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The University of Virginia cross country teams competed in the 1998 NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championships, hosted by Furman University. The Cavalier men’s and women’s teams each posted Top-10 finishes in their respective meets. The UVa women’s team finished sixth out of 29 teams in the 5,000 meter run, while UVa’s men’s squad posted a seventh place finish out of 21 teams in the 10,000 meter event.
Bob Thiele highlighted the Virginia men’s team, as he finished fifth overall (first for UVa) with a time of 30:15 in the men’s 10,000 meter run. Thiele’s time not only earned him a spot on the NCAA All-Southeast Region Team, but qualified him for a spot in the NCAA Championships which will be held at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas on November 23. Damond Cromer joined Thiele as a Top-25 finisher, as he placed 24th overall (second for UVa) with a time of 31:00.
Cromer’s performance also earned him a spot on the NCAA All-Southeast Region Team. Matt Illian captured 42nd place (third for UVa) with a mark of 31:27, while teammates Rick Davis (31:42) and Thomas Del Sordo (32:12) placed 56th and 75th overall, respectively. Bill Palmer took 92nd with a time of 32:35 and Robert Pearce finished 126 with a mark of 33:33 for the Cavaliers.
Jennifer Owens led Virginia’s women’s squad, as she finished 22nd (first for UVa) over with a time of 18:03 in the 5,000 meter run. With her performance, Owen’s was named to the 1998 NCAA All-Southeast Region Team. Teammate Jessica Thomas, a first-year runner at UVa, placed 35th overall (second for UVa) with a mark of 18:18.
She was followed by Astrid Gotthardt, who finished 46th overall (third for UVa) with a time of 18:30. Teammates Sarah Folse (18:34) finished 48th overall and Frances Warner placed 49th with a time of 18:35. Dana Coons (18:55) and Jamie Sutherland (18:59) placed 72nd and 75th overall, respectively for Virginia.
Russ Coleman of James Madison won the 10,000k run with a time of 30:06 and Janelle Kraus of Wake Forest won the women’s 5k event with a time of 17:04. James Madison won the men’s meet with 50 points, while N.C. State won the women’s competition with 47 points.
The NCAA Southeast Regional Meet concluded the 1998 season for the Virginia cross country teams.
Virginia 5,000m Women’s Results
22. Jennifer Owens 18:03 35. Jessica Thomas 18:1846. Astrid Gotthardt 18:30 48. Sarah Folse 18:3449. Frances Warner 18:3572. Dana Coons 18:5575. Jamie Sutherland 18:57
Virginia 10,000 m Men’s Results
5. Bob Thiele 30:1524. Damond Cromer 31:00 42. Matt Illian 31:2756. Rick Davis 31:4275. Thomas Del Sordo 32:1292. Bill Palmer 32:35126. Robert Pearce 33:33
Women’s Team Results
1. N.C. State 472. Wake Forest 733. North Carolina 1084. William & Mary 1175. Eastern Kentucky 1656. Virginia 192
Men’s Team Results
1. James Madison 502. N.C. State 733. Duke 1314. William & Mary 1355. Clemson 1486. Western Kentucky 1577. Virginia 184