Conference Champs!
Women’s cross country team plus two from men’s team to compete at nationals

November 7, 2011--The York College Cross Country team flashed through the finish lines ahead of the competition at the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference meet in Lawrence, Kan., on November 5. The women’s team came away with a first-place finish and an automatic seed for Nationals, to be held in Vancouver, Wash. November 19. Two from the men’s team will also compete at Nationals.  

The women’s team had an average time of 20:58. The top runners on the ladies’ side were Kristin Tuttle and Karissa Austin. Tuttle ran a 19:48 and placed second overall and Austin ran a 20:35 to place fifth.

On the men’s side, freshmen Warren Lannon and Kyle Bottom led the way, setting their personal best times for the year. Warren ran a 28:46 to place third, while Bottom ran a 29:57 and slid into the last qualifying spot for Nationals.

All of the ladies individually placed in the top 11. The men went into the conference seated fourth and came away with a third place team finish.

“This was a huge day for the Lady Panthers,” said Coach Justin Carver, noting that the win was more significant as one of the team’s best runners, Kameryn Brewster, had been battling injuries for weeks leading up to the meet.

“We were wondering if her foot would even hold up. Kameryn finished strong, only a minute behind her best on the year…Having her run through the pain made winning conference mean even more to the team,” says Carver.

“The ladies ran with heart and Panther pride. The end result was a reflection of that.  This couldn’t have been done without all of them working together as a team.”

The crowning glory of the day was that Coach Carver was awarded the MCAC Coach of the Year Award. “It is a true honor,” said Carver. “I’m thankful for a team with not only talented athletes, but with great young women and men, who ran their hearts out all year.”

Click here for race results.

MCAC Coach of the Year Justin Carver with Lady Panther's Cross Country team, MCAC champions. (l-r) Coach Carver, Emily Meranda, Morgan DeBoer, Karissa Austin, Kameryn Brewster, Kristin Tuttle, and Alice Hackett