Senior Claudia Monnet and sophomore Zach Batt both placed second individually at the North Coast Athletic Conference cross country championship Sunday.
The DePauw University men’s team placed second overall with 54 points and while the women’s team placed third with 88 points respectively. The meet was hosted by DePauw but was held at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute.
Batt, who finished with a time of 25:36:9, paced himself well, allowing him to outkick most of the field in the final kilometer of the race and solidify his spot on the podium.
“I beat some talented runners and learned I have the capability to be one of the top runners in the conference,” Batt said. “It was a great confidence booster for me and the team going into regionals.”
Sophomore Paul Christian finished in fourth place just seconds behind Batt, with a time of 25:43.1. Despite just missing the podium, Christian was named first-team NCAC.
Junior Nathan Reed emphasized the team’s recent momentum. “We definitely gained confidence following our success at the conference championship,” Reed said. “We’re really excited about continuing our success at regionals.”
Junior Polo Burguete garnered second-team all- NCAC placing eight. Junior Pierce Sheehan came in 17th earning honorable mention.
Monnet, has earned NCAC runner-of-the-week honors, earned her silver metal with a time of 22:04.2 and earned first-team all-NCAC honors.
Monnet knew she was going up against three stellar runners in her conference, but focused on herself. “I made the decision early on to chase last year’s champion and not worry about the rest of the pack, and the strategy worked pretty well,” Monnet said. “Of course no one wants to be runner-up, but I’m satisfied I never mentally gave up in the race.”
Senior Lois Miller took home 11th place and earned second-team all-NCAC honors while senior Becca Conley finished 20th and earned honorable mention honors.
The Tigers return to action on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional in Holland, Michigan.
