Cross Country Performs Well at NCAA Great Lakes Regional

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Marquette University cross country teams concluded the 2018 season with strong performances as the men placed 15th and women took 23rd at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional hosted by Indiana State on Friday.

"Overall, I thought both teams ran admirably and competed hard," Marquette head coach Mike Nelson said. "As a coach, you never walk away from a meet totally satisfied and that's the nature of coaches and athletes, but I thought our athletes laid it all on the line today. It's something to build from as we now move into the track season."

Widely regarded as the toughest of the nine regional meets, the Golden Eagles represented Marquette well at the Great Lakes Regional with both teams combining for four individuals in the top-100, including three on the men's side, amid a field of more than 200 entries on each side.

In their only 10-kilometer race of the season, the men placed 15th out of 29 teams at the LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course on Friday. Junior Daniel Pederson (61st) led the team with senior Jon Klaiber (70th) and redshirt junior Ryan Burd (86th) close behind.

It marked the highest-ever finishes at a regional for all three with Burd turning in a 50-place improvement from last year.

On the women's side, senior Mary Hanson (61st) completed her best-career regional finish and third top-100 placing. It marks the end of an era for all four seniors Klaiber, Burd, Hanson and Nora Keller.

"All of them really stuck their noses in it today," Nelson said of his seniors. "Mary really had a good run, her highest-ever finish at the regional meet. She's had a few injury issues in the last few weeks, so I was happy with her effort.

"Nora had some setbacks early in the season," Nelson added. "For her to compete the way she did was very impressive, as was her grit and toughness despite not being at 100 percent this season.

"Jon was right up front at 3 kilometers and really running strong for his highest finish. I think Ryan Burd might have had the run of the day. A tremendous improvement after finishing 135th a year ago. It's been awesome watching him improve the way that he has."

The Golden Eagles now transition to the upcoming indoor track and field season, which begins with a meet in December followed by the traditional season in January.

Keep up with the Marquette cross country program through social media by following on Twitter (@MUTFXC) and Instagram (@MUTFXC) and `liking' on Facebook (/MUTFXC).