Bass Takes Home American Rivers Conference Title
Oct 27, 2018
LINCOLN, Neb. – The University of Dubuque cross country team traveled west to Lincoln, Nebraska for the American Rivers Conference Championship on Saturday. Alec Bass highlighted the day winning the men’s individual title in 26:03.04, the first Spartan to win an individual conference title since 1962. The men’s team finished seventh in the team race and the women finished eighth.
The Spartan’s Alec Bass raced out to a quick start, leading after the opening 3,000 meters but by only .19 over Sam Pinkowski of Wartburg. At the 6k mark, Bass dropped to fourth place but just .24 seconds off the lead. Meanwhile, Mark Biechler, who sat in 44th at the 3k mark, slowly started to climb his way up the board, gaining five spots to sit in 39th with 2,000 meters remaining.
Over the last 2,000 meters Bass turned on the jets, running out to a four second lead and hanging on to win the American Rivers Conference Individual Championship in 26:03.04. Bass finally got over the hump to win the conference championship as he finished second at the conference meet in 2016 and 10th and 2015.
Biechler continued his climb over the final 2,000 meters, jumping all the way up to 35th place with a finishing time of 27:58.41. Brandon Sindt and Joesph Tobin also claimed top 60 finishes, Sindt in 56th with a time of 28:34.78 and Tobin in 60th at 28:41.40. Wartburg took home the men’s team title, with the Spartans finishing seventh.
The women kicked off the meet by going first at 11:00 a.m. The freshman from Walker, Iowa, Lucy Syverson paced the Spartans with a 56th place finish in a time of 23:13.52. Syverson sat in 65th place at the halfway point but jumped nine places over the final 3,000 meters. Edith Flores and Isabella Mazzanti were right behind Syverson, finishing in times of 23:23.68 and 26:30.84, respectively. The hosts, Nebraska Wesleyan, took home the team title with the low of 47 points.
UD Women Individuals
56. Lucy Syverson 26:13.52
62. Edith Flores 26:23.68
66. Isabella Mazzanti 26:30.84
87. Megan Ely 27:13.16
116. Mackenzie Helgemoe 29:03.86
131. Danielle Johnsen 31:19.76
Women Team Standings
1. Nebraska Wesleyan – 47
2. Wartburg – 51
3. Loras – 83
4. Luther – 90
5. Central – 117
6. Simpson – 179
7. Coe – 209
8. UD – 231
9. Buena Vista – 234
UD Men Individuals
1. Alec Bass 26:03.04
35. Mark Biechler 27:58.41
56. Brandon Sindt 28:34.78
60. Joseph Tobin 28:41.40
70. Tyler Cernohous 28:57.72
80. Michael Orcutt 29:16.85
84. Jacob Heitter 29:25.11
150. Hunter Klose 32:06.03
Men’s Team Standings
1. Wartburg – 32
2. Loras -69
3. Nebras Wesleyan – 91
4. Luther – 124
5. Simpson – 130
6. Central – 134
7. UD – 170
8. Coe – 234
9. Buena Vista - 289
The Spartans will have next weekend off before heading to the NCAA Division III Central Regional Championships in Waverly, Iowa on November 10th.
