SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- The John Brown University women's cross country team placed third out of nine teams at the Sooner Athletic Championships, posting a team time of 2:08:37 (99 points) at Pollard's Field on Saturday morning (Nov. 8).
Freshman Abigail Stucker led the Blue and Gold in the 62-runner field, running 23:22 (7th) over the 6,000-meter course and recording the third-fastest time in program history at the conference meet. Stucker's finish secured her qualification for the NAIA National Championships as one of the conference's top four runners not on the championship team.
"The Bible says to 'rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn,'" head coach Peter Cunningham noted of the bittersweet finish. "There is much to rejoice in as most of our runners wrap up their cross-country season. We rejoice with Abigail as she qualifies for nationals individually. We also rejoice in the months of tiring training and early mornings. Our athletes lean into so much discipline and embrace pain. I'm so proud of them, and I love them so much.
JBU's scoring was completed by sophomore Paige Andrews placing 15th in 25:13, sophomore Anna Claire Orr finishing in 26:02 (23rd), sophomore Adelyn Janssen crossing in 26:49 (26th) and freshman Edith Bell clocking in at 27:07 (28th), giving the Golden Eagles a 3:45 spread among its top five runners.
Stucker and Andrews were named to the All-Conference team for their respective top-15 finishes.
"The mourning comes from high hopes unrealized," Cunningham continued. "In the wake of race day, many conversations steer toward the idea that it is 'a privilege to be let down.' This year, our athletes put themselves in position to expect a second-place finish on the women's side. We missed it by one spot.
"Dreaming is a vulnerable pursuit because you're in danger of mourning. Jesus is king in the highs and the lows. Hopefully, we all learn how to carry both high and low emotions as we continue to praise the Lord on his throne."
Rounding out John Brown's top seven were sophomores Tori Calder placing 42nd at 28:17 and Camryn Chaffin hitting the tape at 29:58 (47th).
Oklahoma City claimed the team title with 23 points (1:54:45), earning its ninth SAC title in ten seasons. Texas Welseyan's Juliana Molina won the individual title in 22:17. College of the Ozarks (Mo.) finished second with 91 points.
Stucker will represent John Brown at the 46th Annual NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championships on Nov. 21 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla. The women's 6,000-meter race is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.
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