Bruin Men run to first NSAA Cross Country title

VALLEY CITY, N.D. -- Behind a 1-2-3 individual finish, the Bellevue University men's cross country team ran to the program's first-ever North Star Athletic Association Cross Country team championship today. The Bruins were led by freshman Xavier Mallow, who ran to NSAA Runner-of-the-Year honors by crossing the finish first in 26:06.2.

The eight-kilometer course was run over the Valley City Town and Country Club grounds on a perfect day for running with sunny skies and a temperature near fifty degrees.

Just six seconds back from Mallow was Ronald Kipyegon in the runner-up spot in 26:12.9. Defending NSAA champion Richard Marcoux was third in 26:18.9 to complete the podium sweep. Jose Lara Flores also earned an all-conference award by placing seventh, running 26:50.1. The final Bruin scorer was Luis Casallas Vega, who was fifteenth in the 52-runner field in 27:35.5. The Bruins scored a low 28 points to defeat runner-up Dakota State by 25 points.

Collin Kotz was the sixth man for the Bruins, placing 18th in 27:56.9, while Griffin Kipchumba Kisoryo crossed in 28:31.5 for 24th. Robbie Siford and Alejandro Corona Martinez were the final two Bruins in 36th and 48th in times of 29:30.4 and 32:25.3, respectively.

Assistant Coach Matt Musiel: "When a team believes in their teammates and the training process and are willing to do the work, good things are going to happen. This has been a team goal since we got started in August, and these guys went to work every day to make it happen. I'm so excited to see what they can do on the national stage."

The Bruins will get that opportunity in two weeks when they travel to Columbia, Mo., for the NAIA National Championship.

The NSAA Champion of Character was awarded to fifth-year senior Richard Marcoux. Head Coach Craig Christians commended Marcoux by commenting, "Richard has done so much in his three years with us to move our program forward. I'm so grateful for his dedication and leadership."

Christians was recognized as the Men's NSAA Coach-of-the-Year and said, "This award needs to be shared with (assistant) Coach Musiel for his huge contribution this fall."