BALDAUF AND SAYLER QUALIFY FOR NATIONALS AFTER RECORD DAY
Jamestown, N.D. – Dakota Wesleyan XC showed up to Jamestown to prove they belong and did just that. As of today, two athletes in Wyatt Baldauf and Caleb Sayler qualified for nationals with their blazing times of 25:46.65 and 26:09.20 which ranked 5th and 9th all-time in DWU history. The Men's team had one of, if not their best showing as a team with Justin Sorensen finishing 17th and is awaiting rankings for if his 26:43.40 time qualified for nationals. Layne Lewis came in at 27th and Hunter Shanks at 35th for a third place DWU team finish at the GPAC Championship. On the women's side Annika Vermeulen had a very strong race with her second-best time of the year at 21:49.17 and finishing 58th place finish. The women's squad had a couple newcomers with Adaya Plastow, Erynn Gerlach, Emilia Cuppy and Avany Long all competing and having a solid race.
Results:
Women's 5K Race:
58th - Annika Vermeulen - 21:49.17
76th - Adaya Plastow - 23:01.35
91st - Erynn Gerlach - 26:10.02
94th - Emilia Cuppy - 30:06.43
95th - Avany Long - 30:48.07
Total of 95 runners.
Team finished 12th
Men's 8K Race:
6th - Wyatt Baldauf - 25:46.65 (5th All-Time Finish in DWU History)
11th - Caleb Sayler - 26:09.20 (9th All-Time in DWU History)
17th - Justin Sorensen – 26:43.40
27th - Layne Lewis - 27:36.77
35th - Hunter Shanks - 27:54.02
Total of 84 runners.
Team finished 3rd
Assistant Coach Roger Malonda Thoughts:
"Overall, I am very proud of the team, not only today but the whole season. Conference championship races are always difficult to manage, but the guys took care of business once again. They did set some lofty goals at the beginning of the season, and when the time came, they delivered. It is very inspiring to see the same group of guys that was originally ranked 9th in the preseason, take down some big names and finish third, only one point behind a team that's been on the polls all year long. Obviously, it's an exciting time for the tigers as we are sending at least two individual qualifiers to Nationals in Wyatt Baldauf and Caleb Sayler, first National Qualifiers in Cross Country since 2017.
On the women's side, Annika Vermeulen finished the season and her cross-country career with one of the fastest times these season. Also, very grateful for the rest of the women that stepped out of their comfort zone to run against the best in the conference."
Head Coach Matt Rosado Quote:
"Throughout this season we have been preparing for today. The way we situated our race schedule the trips and moments we've had as a team was all to prepare us to take big steps forward when it counted most. These guys and girls bought into the team first philosophy, and it paid off big for us. I can't say enough about this men's group who never shied away from toeing the line with the best. I also couldn't even put into words how much Annika's dedication and grit to this program shines. She has single handily held out women's program together when she could have given up. This is a special time in our history, but it won't be the last. Prouder to be a Tiger than ever before! Roll Tige"
Up Next
- The NAIA National Cross-Country Championship will be on November 18, 2022 in Tallahassee, Florida.
