Arkansas Climbs Up To No. 5 At NCAAs
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Despite contending with chilly and windy conditions, the Arkansas men’s cross country team improved to a top-five finish at the 2016 NCAA Cross Country Championship at the Lavern Gibson Cross Country Course in Terre Haute.
The championship marked the first time in 10 years that the Razorbacks have placed in the top five at the national competition.
Arkansas was led by the junior tandem of Alex George and Jack Bruce who both secured finishes inside the top 20. They finished as the 15th and 19th-best runners of the day, respectively, earning All-America recognition. It marked the second-consecutive year that Arkansas has had two top-40 performers at the national meet.
Arkansas’ top runner throughout most of the regular and postseason, George reprised his role for the Razorbacks, putting together a smart race, which saw the Gloucester, Great Britain, native gradually progress through the ranks to a top-20 finish. The 2016 Southeastern Conference Runner of the Year made a late surge on the final straightaway to solidify his claim as one of the nation’s best distance runners with a 10K performance of 30 minutes, 10.10 seconds.
A returning All-American for the Razorbacks, Bruce took a similar approach to the course, beginning with a moderate pace and picking up steam as he approached the finish line. Not far behind George, Bruce completed the course a fraction of a second after his teammate in 30:10.90, improving four spots from his 2015 23rd-place performance.
In addition to George and Bruce, Arkansas’ top five was made up of Cameron Griffith (48th), Andrew Ronoh (67th), and Frankline Tonui (112th).
Kyle Hosting and Austen Dalquist rounded out the crew as the sixth and seventh runners, respectively, for the Razorbacks.
Head Coach Chris Bucknam Quotables
On the championship:
“We came to Indiana for one reason to win a national championship. The coaching staff, the team, we all felt we had a legitimate chance to accomplish that goal, even with the final coaches’ poll picking us sixth. The guys, they put it all out there today. We just came up a little short. In the end, although we are extremely disappointed that the championship didn’t materialize for us I am proud of this group of athletes and all they accomplished this season. When you finish in the top five at the NCAA championship (a feat not accomplished since 2006) and win an SEC championship (our seventh in a row) on your home course against a highly-ranked and highly-motivated Ole Miss team, well that’s an outstanding season. We have a new SEC trophy in our case and we’ll continue to pursue that national championship trophy. With six of our top seven returning next year we won’t forget today.”
On team top five:
“Alex George and Jack Bruce had huge races, earning All-America honors. Cameron Griffith, a sophomore in his first NCAA Championship race passed nearly 50 athletes in the last 2K to finish 48th, just missing All-American honors. It was a great race for Cam. Andrew Ronoh, with only one month of training under his belt and after months of rehabbing and cross training did a heck of a job finishing 67th. Those efforts gave us a shot. Unfortunately our returning All-American Frankline Tonui (second at Pre-Nationals in October) got knocked down in a chaotic first mile. Trying to get back up he got knocked down again and he could never get back in the race. That nearly cost us dearly in the end. One mishap in a race like this is all it takes to change the outcome of the team race. I know Frankline; no one is more disappointed than him but these things happen. I reminded him he is a multiple All-American and most importantly, a soon to be graduate in December. Coming from Kenya to Iowa Central Community College to the University of Arkansas, everyone associated with our program couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Jack Bruce Quotables
On the championship:
“Improving four spots from last year’s race in tougher conditions plus running a harder course feels awesome. I’ve grown a lot as an athlete since my debut season as a Razorback. Last year was such a surprise to break through; this year has a sweeter taste because I felt like I ran a more honest race. I also got the job done again when there were a few eyebrows raised at the possibility of me replicating my performance from last year.”
Top Five Team Results
1. Northern Arizona, 125 (3-9-18-29-66)
2. Stanford, 158 (4-19-32-45-58)
3. Syracuse, 164 (1-14-27-37-85)
4. Ole Miss, 196 (5-30-42-48-71)
5. Arkansas, 206 (12-16-36-53-89)
Arkansas Results (Scored Finishes)
15. Alex George (12) – 30:10.10
19. Jack Bruce (16) – 30:10.90
48. Cameron Griffith (36) – 30:32.50
67. Andrew Ronoh (53) – 30:39.60
112. Frankline Tonui (89) – 30:58.00
173. Kyle Hosting (143) – 31:24.20
196. Austen Dalquist (163) – 31:38.60
2016 Cross Country Schedule
Thurs, Sept. 1 – Cowboy Duals (Stillwater, Okla.) | 4th of 6
Fri, Sept. 16 – Battle in Beantown (Boston, Mass.) | 3rd of 15
Sat, Oct. 1 – Chile Pepper Festival (Agri Park) 9:45 a.m. | 1st of 18
Sat, Oct. 15 – Pre-Nationals (Terre Haute, Ind.) 10:35 a.m. | 2nd of 41
Fri, Oct. 28 – SEC Championship (Agri Park) 10:00 a.m. | 1st of 12
Fri, Nov. 11 – NCAA South Central Regional (Agri Park) 11:00 a.m. | 1st of 20
Sat, Nov. 19 – NCAA Championship (Terre Haute, Ind.) | 5th in the NCAA
Bold denotes a home event.
For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.
