Posted: Nov 10, 2023

Rally for Runner-Up

November 10, 2023 | by Taylor Pill

STORY

WARSAW, Ind. -- The Sabercats Men's Cross Country Team was the surprise squad at NCCAA Nationals today, capturing the NCCAA National-Runner-Up title - their sixth runner-up finish in program history.

The squad got some serious revenge after last year's one-point loss to Ozark Christian - a loss that put them into third place to finish the season. This year, the script was turned on its head, as Maranatha bested Ozark by two points and Faith Baptist by four to capture second place, making the finish about as close as it could be. David Cheloudtchenko and Shem Abdnour paced the squad by finishing in 13th and 14th, respectively, as the course presented a challenge with its rolling hills and tight turns. Despite the difficult course conditions, four of the Sabercat men set personal records: Abdnour, Blake Rumford, Jonathan Knight, and Jeremiah Markle.

Bob Jones University captured the men's championship to win its eighth consecutive national title. Ozark Christian's Jedidiah Osgood took home the individual honors, finishing in first with a time of 26:01.

On the women's side, Maranatha took home fourth place as a team and got the brunt of the two-point swing - finishing an agonizing two points off of Crown College to stay off the podium. Natalie Shetter and Anna Morken finished as NCCAA All-Americans, earning 8th and 10th place. Morken set a PR on the day, finishing the 5K in 21:25. Lauren Youngs, Hailee Butler, and Abigail Dorothy all set PRs on the day as well to help the Sabercats retain their fourth-place position.

Bob Jones won the women's race as well, taking home the title with just 39 points. Crown College's Ella Dufault won the individual title with a 5K of 19:20.

OVERVIEW

Event: NCCAA Nationals (Warsaw, Ind. / Warsaw Community High School Cross Country Course)
Men's Finish: 2nd of 6 / 88 pts
First Runner: David Cheloudtchenko - 13th - 29:40 (8K)
Women's Finish: 4th of 7 / 94 pts
First Runner: Natalie Shetter - 8th - 21:15 (5K)
Host: Bethel University and Grace College

RESULTS (Men's 8K)