Cross Country | November 16, 2018

Ceder Rapids, Iowa - University of Montana Western senior Mindy Kaufman earned All-American status after finishing 25th overall at the NAIA Cross Country National Championship meet in a time of 18:00.7.

The cold temperatures and blustery wind didn't faze the runners from Montana Western as two school records were broken and an All-American honor was earned. 

"I'm very happy with today," head coach Dylan Zitzer said, "I think we proved the type of success we can have at the national meet. I'm hopeful we can use this as a stepping stone to more success."

Kaufman ran a personal best, which also set a school record in the process, finishing the race in a time of 18:00.7. She finished 25th overall. The defending conference champion claimed her first All-American honor, and first in the programs history.

Sophomore Eireann O'Connor made her second straight National championship appearance, finished in 122nd place with a time of 18:44. 

Senior Gabi Gomez, who was running in her first national meet, finished in 19:01 and in 136th place. 

In the men's 8k race the cold weather didn't slow anyone down as just 19 seconds separated 50 runners. Senior Russell Kujala, making his first NAIA National Championship, crushed his personal best and set a school record with a time of 24:44 for 101st place.