Leathernecks Close Season At NCAA Regionals

Lingle, Richter lead Western Illinois in Iowa City

NCAA Regionals Women's Results
NCAA Regionals Men's Results

MACOMB, Ill. – Seven Western Illinois cross country team members competed Friday (Nov. 11) at the NCAA Regionals meet at the Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City. Freshman Abigail Richter led the Leatherneck women in the 6k and sophomore Lucas Lingle crossed the finish line first for the men in the 10k.

"Today accomplished the overall purpose of the trip, which was to gain experience at the regional level for some of our younger athletes," said head coach Mike Stevenson. "We were a little short on some of our goals but awfully darn close. The large field sizes made fast racing difficult."

Richter scored the best time of any Leatherneck women's runner, placing 195th with a mark of 23:19.0 on the 6,000-meter course. Senior Madison Lefler and freshman Nicole Beebe finished back-to-back in 201st and 202nd with times of 23:23.4 and 23:23.9, respectively.

Lingle was the top finisher on the men's side, running the 10k in 34:02.7 for 177th. Grant Kaiser came in 179th with a time of 34:15.2. The Leathernecks also saw Brady Hunt (182nd/34:27.9) and Corey Thompsen (185th/34:45.0) compete.

"The men's race was a new experience for them, as it was our first and only time running 10,000 meters this year," Stevenson said. "The extra distance changes the race dramatically. Hopefully we can put this experience in the bank and call on it later."

The top two teams at each NCAA Regional qualified for the NCAA Championships. Missouri (83 points) and Oklahoma State (89 points) will compete in the Championships on the women's side, with Oklahoma State (64 points) and Tulsa (89 points) representing the men.

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Players Mentioned

Madison Lefler: DISTANCE; Senior; Canton

Nicole Beebe: DISTANCE; Freshman; Canton

Abigail Richter: DISTANCE; Freshman; Triad

Grant Kaiser: DISTANCE; Junior; Glenwood

Lucas Lingle: DISTANCE; Sophomore; Canton

Corey Thompsen: DISTANCE; Junior; St. Joseph-Ogden / Danville Area CC

Brady Hunt: DISTANCE; Senior; Marimon Academy

Players Mentioned

Madison Lefler
: Senior; Canton
: DISTANCE

Nicole Beebe
: Freshman; Canton
: DISTANCE

Abigail Richter
: Freshman; Triad
: DISTANCE

Grant Kaiser
: Junior; Glenwood
: DISTANCE

Lucas Lingle
: Sophomore; Canton
: DISTANCE

Corey Thompsen
: Junior; St. Joseph-Ogden / Danville Area CC
: DISTANCE

Brady Hunt
: Senior; Marimon Academy
: DISTANCE