Male harriers earn third in nationals

By Julie Newell
Editor in Chief

The LCC men’s cross country team placed third overall in the 8K race at the NJCAA Division II National Championship on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla.

"It is a great accomplishment,” LCC Head Coach Jim Robinson said. “The men being on the podium for finishing third is our best finish since they won (the national title) in 2007.”

As a team, the Stars had 94 points. Paradise Valley won the meet with 68 points. Heartland Community College was second with 88 points. A total of 29 teams complete in the men’s race.

“I knew going in that this was going to be a really competitive race for the men,” Robinson said. “They (the team) executed exactly as we had planned.”

Kobe Blanco led the Stars in 13th place with a time of 26:30. Teammate Michael Dennis placed 15th with a time of 26:33. Right behind Dennis was LCC’s Liam Elder in 16th at 26.43. Erik Reiber placed 22nd of the Stars in 26:54. The fifth LCC runner was Jacob Dennis, who placed 30th in 27:04.

“What great memories these young men … created for themselves,” Robinson said. “I could not be more proud of them."