PEORIA, Ill. – Junior
Emily Johnson broke the school cross country record for 6K, helping the Mavericks to a 14th-place finish at the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday afternoon.
Johnson finished fourth overall in the "Red" race with a time of 21:12.9, breaking Anja Puc's old mark by almost 26 seconds. She finished fourth overall in the field of 180 runners.
"After having a couple weeks off and taking it easy due to illness, it was great to see Emily open up and run the way she's been capable of," said
Cliff Cisar, cross country head coach. "Taking the record from one of Omaha's most decorated athletes and a UNO Athletics Hall of Farmer is quite impressive. She deserves the results as she puts in all the work."
Heidi Hall ran second for the Mavericks and 67th overall with a time of 22:39.1, a new career best and a time that ranks 12th all-time at UNO.
Anita Jenkins also set a lifetime best with a time of 23:03.9, finishing third for the Mavericks and 90th overall. Her time ranks 15th best.
Joanna Topham ran fourth and 98th overall with a time of 23:11.7, a personal best and UNO's 17th best clocking all-time.
Ivanna Uribe finished the scoring with a time of 23:24.1, another PR and good for 108th.
"I was quite worried about how the results would end up as we gave up a lot of ground in the first mile to the field," Cisar added. "However, the majority responded well and fought through the packs to move up the field throughout the last 3k."
Also running for the Mavericks in the "Red" race were
Danielle Howard (23:49.9),
Maya Nachtigal (23:54.0) and
Raegan Andersen (24:09.4) in their first collegiate 6K race.
The Mavericks team average time of 22:42.3 was also a school record for 6K.
Three Mavericks ran in the "White" Race earlier in the day.
Paige Blackford posted a time of 24:54.9,
Emily Robles came in at 25:32.8, and
Cassie Stolt ran a time of 27:56.2 in her first collegiate race.
As a team, the Mavericks posted a score of 367. The host Braves won the event with a score of 67. South Dakota was second at 103, and Illinois was third at 127.
The Mavericks will now prepare for the Summit League Championships at Fargo, N.D. on Saturday, Nov. 2.
