The Bruin Distance Track squad came home with three all-Conference medals at the NSAA outdoor track and field championships hosted by Waldorf University on Thursday and Friday, May 13-14. All-Conference awards are presented to the top three finishers and top relay team at the meet.
Desyebelew Debesh picked up the first all-NSAA honor for the Bruins on Thursday when he placed third in the men's 10,000-meter run. In his first-ever effort at the distance, Debesh covered the 6.2 miles in 35:24.46, run in warm and breezy conditions. Earlier in the day, Gabe Poppen lowered his own school record in the 400 meters, clocking a 53.31.
On the second day of competition held in considerably cooler temps and a stiff breeze, Debesh captured his second all-conference award in the men's 1,500 meters with his third-place finish in 4:18.62 in what would be the first of three events for him on the day. Aaron Newton and Dixon Kiptoo also contested the 1,500, running 4:34.22 and 4:58.17 respectively.
The day began with the men's steeplechase as Edrei Murillo and Cole Wagner both scored team points (top 6) for the Bruins. Murillo was fourth (10:37.77) and Wagner sixth (10:48.67).
The Bruin men completed the day with two more men scoring team points as Chris Casart sprinted past Debesh in the final hundred meters as they finished fourth and fifth in the 5,000 meters. Casart's time of 16:27.05 lowered his own school record while Debesh recorded a personal best of 16:28.50.
The women's team, hampered by injury and illness all season, had three competitors including one all-NSAA performance. That was turned in by Lorena Ramirez in the 5,000 meters. Ramirez ran 20:01.40 to place third and capture her sixth career all-conference award.
Finally, for the Bruins, Dayana and Diana Montano-Salama concluded their three-year careers as Bruin distance runners with races at 1,500 and 800 meters. In the 1,500, Dayana and Diana ran 6:42.18 and 7:13.59, both season-best efforts. In the 800 meters, they ran 3:11.65 and 3:30.78 respectively.
Dixon Kiptoo and Dayana Montano-Salama were selected to represent the Bruins with Champions of Character awards.
Head Coach Craig Christians: "I think we really ended the season on a high note. Everyone wearing a Bruin uniform represented us well and left it out there today. It was exciting to see us mix it up with the conference powers in the distance races. When you consider that our men had individuals place in the 1500, steeplechase, 5,000 and 10,000, that says a lot for strides we are making."
"The women's team was hit especially hard by the injury and illness bug this season but I see brighter days ahead for them, too. Lorena continues to represent us at a high level and Dayana and Diana have done such a nice job for three years and have helped the program significantly."
"We've got some recruits signed for both the men and women who are going to make an impact next season. With most of the current team returning, I have high hopes for cross country next fall."
The NSAA meet concluded the outdoor track season for the Bruins. Next fall, the Bruins will begin their fourth season of cross country competition and will host the NSAA conference meet in early November.
