NCAA DI: Bates Third, Gopher Women 31st; Ferlic Top MN finisher in the Men's Race in 13th

Emma Bates at the finish

Kate Avery of Iona won the NCAA DI women's title in 19:31.6 for 6K.  Emma Bates was third in 19:44.5. "Hands down the toughest race I have ever run. Thank you to everyone who supported me! So proud of my effort today and my amazing team!" Bates tweeted.  FloTrack interview with Emma Bates HERE. DI women's results are HERE.

In the women's DI race both Michigan State, who won the team title, and Avery were in control from the start.  Avery was at or near the front the entire race and broke the race open about midway and was never challenged. Full replay of women's race HERE. FloTrack interview with Griak women's champ Shelby Houlihan, who finished ninth at Nationals HERE. Gopher women's summary HERE.

Gopher women's results are:
                                   Place/Time/Team place

Liz Berkholtz (JR)	80	21:06.3	61
Becca Dyson (JR)	132	21:26.3	100
Kaila Urick (JR)	192	21:52.0	154
Danielle Anderson (FR)	205	21:59.5	167
Haley Johnson (SO)	219	22:09.5	181
Kate Bucknam (JR)	240	22:45.3	202
Ashlie Decker (SR)	243	22:50.9	205

In the men's race Edward Cheserek sat in the huge front pack until 8K when he turned on the jets and broke open the race for first.  He finished in 30:19.4.  His teammate Eric Jenkins was second in 30:23.2.  Mason Ferlic was in the hunt at 12th in the front pack at 8K.  The Gopher's Aaron Bartnik was in 97th and Michael VanVoorhis  was 112th. Colorado, like Cheserek, successfully defended their team title

Ferlic finished in 13th in 30:37.1.  VanVoorhis was 109th in 31:38.3, and Bartnik 139th in 31:50.9. DI Men's results are HERE.  Full video of men's race HERE. FloTrack interview with Mason Ferlic HERE. Gopher coach Steve Plasencia comments on Aaron Bartnik's experience at Nationals HERE.