So much of what we do is made possible by the generosity of our alumni and friends. Tomorrow is the Go Johnnie Challenge. If you able to support the team again or for the first time, you can do so by going to this website.
2021 Go Johnnies Challenge · GiveCampus
Thanks for your financial support and for all the support which does not have a dollar figure on it. Our alumni are the best, as you all know.
2021 SAINT JOHN’S CROSS COUNTRY
This fall’s team numbers thirty-two. We were back on campus on August 23, one week before school begins. Because NCAA rules require that we race within two weeks of the start of practice, we will be host to a very small intercollegiate meet this Saturday, September 4 at Boulder Ridge Golf Course in St. Cloud. Saint Ben’s will compete at 9:30, and we will follow at 10:00 over 6400 meters.
A number of our guys took a big step forward last spring on the track. The following placed at 800 meters on up, and all return this fall. The year in school was their academic standing last spring.
Alexei Hensel So 800 M, 6th PR 1:54.82
Nate Clausing So 800 M, 7th PR 1:55.03
Mitchell Grand So 1500 M, 7th PR 3:55.90
Tommy Allen Fr 1500 M, 6th PR 3:58.80
Tom Nemanich So Steeplechase, 4th PR 9:43.02
Lloyd Young So 5000 M, 5th PR 14:49.63
10000 M, 6th PR 31:29.05
Andy Goldsmith Jr 10000 M, 7th PR 31:43.08
Steeplechasers Nate Meyer (now a senior) and Carter Grove (a sophomore) had good summers and are among others who will vie for a top seven spot in November.
A big change in Division III cross country is regional realignment. There are now ten regions. Minnesota and Wisconsin schools (and Finlandia College of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula) make up the North Region. There are still 32 teams advancing to the national meet, but only the winning team at each of the ten region meets will be an automatic qualifier. The remaining 22 will be decided by committee. There is no cap to the number of teams that may advance from any one region. The North Region Championship this fall will be at Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax, Wisconsin. This is Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s inviational course, which is about as good as it gets.
Other news: Maxwell Kuzara, SJU 2017, is our cross country assistant coach. Maxwell brings a experience, wisdom, and passion. Maxwell was with us last spring, and the team is happy to see him return.
