Top Men's Teams Dominate Races at Pre-Nationals

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The top-ranked Northern Arizona men were impressive in the Cardinal Race at Wisconsin NCAA Division 1 Pre-Nationals. BYU was nearly as good in the White Race.

Running on the national championship course, the top two collegiate men’s teams in the country appeared to perform at a comparable level Saturday.

In fact, if the scoring fives from each team were scored head to head based on finish times, BYU would come out ahead 26-29.

The meet serves as a tune-up ahead of conference competition and a preview for teams aiming to qualify for the NCAA Championships on Nov. 17 at Zimmer Championship Course in Madison, Wis.

In the Cardinal race, Stanford’s Grant Fisher outkicked NAU’s Tyler Day as both were timed in 23:48.8 for 8 kilometers. The Lumberjacks scored 41 points to Stanford’s 84.

In the White race, BYU put a big pack up front and dominated the competition with 29 points. Rory Linkletter led a 1-4-5-7 finish for the Cougars.

Weini Kelati and Ednah Kurgat went 1-2 for New Mexico as the Lobos won the women’s White Race with 61 points. Kelati covered the 6,000-meter layout in 19:33.3 and Kurgat was 12 seconds behind.

Arkansas beat Oregon 51-71 atop the women’s Cardinal Race. The Ducks’ Jessica Hull ran 20:03.2 for the individual victory.