Grotenhuis Places Third at USATF U20 XC Championships

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 7, 2022) - Northern Arizona freshmen Cael Grotenhuis finished third at the U20 USATF Cross Country Championship with an 8,000-meter time of 26:22.

The European style, 2,000-meter grass loop course, located in Mission Bay Park, consists of one flat, fast kilometer, and one kilometer of several small hills. 

Through the first half of the race, Grotenhuis positioned himself in the front of the pack with Gabe Simonsen of Oklahoma State, identically splitting 6:13 and 12:37 at the 2K and 4K marks of the course. 

However Chase Leach (19:05) of Utah State took the reins at the 6K point with Simonsen (19:06) and Grotenhuis (19:10) on his heels.

In the end, Simonsen (25:42) ultimately asserted himself, placing first, with Leach (25:50), and Grotenhuis (26:22) close behind. 

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