WAYNE, Neb. -- Madison Nelson broke up a string of twelve Augustana runners with her fifth-place finish at Friday's Wildcat Classic hosted by Wayne State. Run under ideal conditions and over a challenging course of rolling hills, Nelson settled into a pack of Vikings and used a strong finish to pass two runners down the home stretch. Her time of 19:11 was over a minute faster over the same course a year ago.
Hannah Perkins ran to a lifetime best with a 21:03 clocking for 5K, good for 14th place overall in the field of 34. Her time was thirty-six seconds faster than last weeks' outing at the Greeno/Dirksen Invite in Lincoln.
Claire Kimutai completed the Bruin competitors, running 26:22 and placing 33rd.
Head Coach Craig Christians: "Madison kind of powered through this one on a very sore heel, but it just speaks volumes for her fitness and fortitude. The Augie women are ranked number three in the latest NCAA Division II poll, and she stayed right with them. That was impressive. Equally impressive was Hannah's big personal best on this course. It is not an easy course, but she told me before the race that she was going after 21 minutes and ended up just missing it. She is a runner who believes in her training, and it's being translated to her racing."
The Bruins return to racing next weekend when they travel to the Briar Cliff Invite Saturday held at the Adams Nature Preserve in North Sioux City. The women race at 10:30 and the men will follow at 11:15.
