LOUISVILLE, KY – The Calvin men's cross country team closed out its season with a 27th place team finish at the NCAA III Championships. Calvin recorded a team score of 653 points at the national meet which was held at Tom Sawyer State Park.
Saturday's competition featured idea racing conditions with temperatures in the 40's and a dry, fast course to race on.
With a youthful team, 29th-ranked Calvin had to adjust to the quick pace and ran well.
Junior Brandan Knepper (Mechanicsburg, PA/Mechanicsburg Area HS) led the way for the Knights by finishing 103rd in a time of 24:52 on the 8K course. Knepper was one of two Calvin runners with nationals experience as he had placed 192nd at the 2019 NCAA III Championships.
Senior Noah Cummisford (Mequon, Wisc./Homestead HS) closed out his collegiate career by placing 163rd in a time of 25:09.
Senior Ryan Vreeke (Lakewood, Ca./Valley Christian HS) also had prior nationals experience, racing at the 2019 NCAA III Championships. He was 176th on Saturday in a time of 25:17.
Junior William Hofmann (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./Grosse Pointe North HS) was 215th (25:39) in his first national meet.
Freshman Nicholas Henz (Oswego, Il./Oswego East HS) was 224th (24:42), freshman Luke Witvliet (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian HS) 230th (25:44) and freshman Thaine Nederveld (Columbus, Oh./Columbus Alternative School).
Pomona-Pitzer won the team national championship with a score of 80 points.
COACHES COMMENT: "Our team ran well," said Calvin head cross country coach Brian Diemer. "This year, cross country is so tough with so many (fifth-year) super seniors. I think this was the deepest field I have ever seen. We ran better than what we were ranked which was great. I am proud of this group."
