Thursday, September 26, 2013

St Olaf Sweep as Wintheiser, Olson Named MIAC XC Athletes of the Week

The St Olaf men's cross country team captured first place in the 16-team field St Olaf Invitational  on Saturday led by defending MIAC  XC champion Grant Wintheiser (Sartell, Minn./Cathedral). The Ole junior finished second out of 272 runners, which was the best finish by a Division III or MIAC runner.For his performance, Wintheiser was named the MIAC Men's Cross Country Athlete-of-the-Week.
Wintheiser won the team's home invite a year ago, but even though he was the runner-up this time around his time was much faster. The junior completed the course in 25:06.2, which was 30 seconds faster than his 2012 winning time. 

St. Olaf phenom Noelle Olson (Big Lake, Minn.) continued her breakout season with a new meet record and first-place finish at the St. Olaf Invitational. She helped the Oles to a third-place team finish out of 15 teams. For her performance, Olson was named the MIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete-of-the-Week for the second time in 2013.
Olson completed the 6K course in 21:34, which is the fastest time ever run at the event, and the third-fastest time in Ole team history. She finished first in the 251-runner field, 14 seconds ahead of runner-up Breanna Colbenson of Division II UM-Duluth. The Oles were third in the 15-team field with 94 points, finishing behind only UMD and MIAC rival Carleton. Olson is the first repeat winner of the MIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete-of-the-Week award this season.Olson was also named the USTFCCCA Athlete of the Week.

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