Posted by Karl Kling - Sat, Dec 13, 2008 - [Cross Country]
Concordia Cross Country
(December 13, 2008 - Ann Arbor, Mich.) -- The final event of the 2008 cross country schedule was the annual banquet as the runners got together for the final time to distribute awards and begin focusing on the indoor track season. The Most Valuable Runner distinction for the men went to Jim Abrams (Fr. - Monroe, Mich.), while the women honored Gwen VanDerworp (So. - Milford, Mich.).
Abrams finished the year with a best time of 27:51 (Sept. 26 at the Lansing CC Invite), which gives him the 10th spot all-time at Concordia. While Abrams earned the MVP award, Tyler Case was given the Most Improved Runner award. For the men, each runner improved throughout the season and everyone is expected to return with the exception of the lone senior in Michael Haiderer.
The highlight of the season was the team's second-place finish at the Wisconsin Lutheran Invitational on Ovt. 4.
For the women, VanDerworp's best time this season was 20:10 (Oct. 18 at the Bowling Green Invite), which was the fourth best time in the history of the program. VanDerworp is expected to lead a much larger contigency next season with Sarah Card and Cree Thompson both returning as well.
In addition to the best times by Abrams and VanDerworp, here are the other best times this season by the Cardinal runners:
WOMEN
- Cree Thompson - 22:08 - Sept. 26 at the Lansing CC Invite
- Sarah Card - 25:04 - Sept. 26 at the Lansing CC Invite
MEN
- Tyler Case - 28:22 - Oct. 18 at the Bowling Green Invite
- Philip Brown - 29:32 - Sept. 26 at the Lansing CC Invite
- Ryan Burmeister - 29:41 - Oct. 18 at the Bowling Green Invite
- Michael Haiderer - 29:46 - Oct. 18 at the Bowling Green Invite
- Zak Nielsen - 30:50 - Oct. 4 at the Wisconsin Lutheran Invite
- Martell Buchanan - 30:52 - Oct. 4 at the Wisconsin Lutheran Invite
- Steve Lestock - 31:04 - Oct. 18 at the Bowling Green Invite
- Sam Bruer - 31:41 - Oct. 4 at the Wisconsin Lutheran Invite
During the team's banquet on Dec. 9, the team honored the following individuals:
Women's Team Captain: Gwen VanDerworp
Men's Team Captain: Michael Haiderer
Women's MVP: Gwen VanDerworp
Men's MVP: Jim Abrams
Men's Most Improved: Tyler Case
1000 Mile Club: Tyler Case
WHAC Scholar Athletes: Michael Haiderer, Steven Schmit
NAIA Scholar Athletes: Michael Haiderer, Steven Schmit
Concordia Cross Country All-Time List: Gwen VanDerworp - #4 (20:10 - 5K), Jim Abrams - #10 (27:51 - 8K)