LAWRENCE, KS:
Oraine Wint became the 11th member of the Texas Wesleyan University men's cross country program to compete at the NAIA National Championship on Saturday. Wint navigated the 8K course at a cold, wet, and windy Rim Rock Farm in a time of 26:41.60.
Wints' time was good for 123rd in a massive field of 320 runners. It also marked the fourth best time by a Ram at the National Championship. Wint received a bid to the championship by placing 7th at the Sooner Athletic Conference Championship.
The competition was dominated by the SAC. Oklahoma City University defended its team championship with a score of 55 points, 58 points better than runner-up Southern Oregon. Meanwhile, fellow SAC runner Benard Keter out of Wayland Baptist breezed through the course in 24:36.30 to take the individual title.
OCU became the third team since 1999 to be ranked No. 1 throughout the season en route to a national championship. Former member Malone accomplished that feat in both 2007 and 2008.
Ramblings
- In five years of Cross Country, the Rams have made one appearance as a team at the NAIA National Championship after winning the 2011 Red River Athletic Conference title.
- Texas Wesleyan's best individual performance at the National Championship came in 2011 when Andrew Herrera ran a time of 25:46.
