TALLAHASSEE, Flo. (November 20, 2021) - In a star-studded performance the Northern Arizona men's cross country team victoriously achieved their fifth NCAA National Championship team title in the last six years after all five scoring runners earned All-American honors; the women placed 23rd overall.
"We are supported by the entire university, we train in best place on earth, we've got the community and our campus behind us, we recruit focused athletes, and we have a tremendous coaching and support staff," Director of NAU Cross Country and Track & Field
Michael Smith said, "there's no secret, those are the pieces, and the results speak for themselves."
NAU is the first team in NCAA history to win two national championships in the same year, as their last victory came in March due a season postponed by COVID-19.
All men dressed in the blue and gold jersey today have competed at this meet in previous years, allowing them a unique and advanced perspective.
"There's no race that rewards experience more than the NCAA Cross Country Championships, '' Smith explained, "their experience was one of the greatest factors that influenced the team title win today."
The NAU men dynamically came off the line, applying pressure to the field from the start of the race, and securing positions to ultimately obtain control by the fourth kilometer of the race.
This seasoned men's team saw each man finish as All-Americans and three athletes earned their second All-American honor.
"For a team title in the ballpark of 100 points, it was going to require athletes competing up in the front of the race," Smith said, "our depth was massive for us today."
Two-time All-American redshirt sophomore
Abdihamid Nur led the Lumberjacks, placing seventh with a time of 28:52.9, with two-time All-American freshman
Nico Young (28:57.5) finishing 11th.
Two-time All-American
Drew Bosley (29:13.8) came right behind in 13th, and the final two scorers All-American senior
George Kusche (29:29.5) and All-American redshirt junior
Brodey Hasty (29.30.3) wrapped up in 37th and 39th to finalize the team score at 92 points.
"At our first practice together, I asked George why he wanted to join our team and why he transferred here (NAU) and he said he wanted to win," Two-Time All-American
Abdihamid Nur exclaimed, "today he became a champion!"
Northern Arizona shared the podium with Iowa State (137 points), Oklahoma State (186 points), Arkansas (195 points) and Stanford (236 points).
Meanwhile the women finished 23rd overall after a great team effort.
"We've changed the game for the women's team at NAu from just trying to make the meet to feeling like we can actually compete here," Smith explained, "as a group that's continuing to find their place, I thought we had a solid showing and I know they'll use this to continue to form the next steps for the program."
Led by All-American junior
Taryn O'Neill (19:58.2) in 42nd, the women maintained composure throughout the race.
Soon after redshirt freshman
Elise Stearns (21.10.0) and senior
Delaney Rasmussen (21:12.5) respectively placed 196th and 200th to round out the team score of 532 points.
Both Lumberjack teams displayed great teamwork today and were rewarded for their strength.
"The past has heavily influenced the outcome of today and today will heavily influence outcomes for the future," Smith added, "we're going to continue to prepare athletes for future championships."
