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November 3, 2007 Eagle, ID – Saint Martin’s John Riak won the regional individual title covering the 10,000 meter layout at Eagle Island State Park in a time of 30:32.75 Saturday at the NCAA Division II West Regional men’s cross country meet. Riak stayed with the lead pack until with 600 meters to go one runner made a break for it and Riak followed and took the lead into the last 300 meters and through to the finish. “John had a great race; it was a different race with a lot of people in contention for two and a half of the four laps. John stayed in the right place all the way around. He looked really good and said he felt really good,” said head coach Julie Sullivan. Riak, who took first at the conference meet two weeks ago, was one of three GNAC athletes to qualify for the national meet as individuals. Sam Scotchmer of Central Washington, who placed second in a time of 30:35.40, and David Kiplagat of Alaska Anchorage, who placed fourth in a time of 30:44.78, also secured national berths. It is Riak’s second consecutive year making it to Nationals. He finished 31st last year. The women posted a strong finish as four of them bested the old school record of 23:06 on their way 13th place team finish beating their previous best 20th. Jessie Dunnam led the Saints with a time of 22:14 good enough for 39th. Freshman Annie Laweryson, in her first regional competition, came in 45th at 22:25. Krinda Carlson was 63rd and Helen Camden 68th with times of 22:46 and 22:51 respectively. Kaleigh Bishop ran a 24: 39 and Ninalynn Benitez a 26:02. “In the ladies race, that was the best result by far. They smashed the school record considerably which was great to see,” added Sullivan. “Overall it was a really good meet.” On the men’s side Tris Obluck finished 72nd in 33:22.82 while Nick Harvey and Steven La Londe were 95th and 99th respectively. Harvey posted a time of 34:28.70 and La Londe at 34:50.48. The NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship Meet will be held in Joplin, Missouri on November 17th.
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