Moreno, Bledsoe, Braund Qualify for NAIAs as Eagles Teams Both Finish Among Top 4 Teams at CCACs
Channahon, IL The Judson University Cross Country Teams had awesome days at the CCAC Championships in Channahon, Illinois. The women had a third-place team finish, including Kasey Moreno qualifying for the NAIA National Championships, while the men finished in fourth place overall and had two runners qualify for NAIAs: Dylan Bledsoe (also named CCAC Freshman of the Year) and Kyle Braund.
The weather was particularly difficult for both races with winds capping at 50+ miles per hour. The first race was the men's race, which was highlighted by the efforts of Bledsoe and Braund. Bledsoe finished as the freshman of the year thanks to his top-10 8K time of 26:26.2 to finish ninth overall. Braund finished two seconds later (26:28.6) to finish in 11th. Both runners earned all-conference honors. Gage Fox also had big day as the Eagles' third runner as he set a personal best time of 27:48.3 to finish 28th overall. Chase Porsche had a solid freshman debut at the CCACs with a 28:04.7 time to place 34th overall. Carlos Miranda rounded out the Judson scoring with a solid race, finishing at a 28:22.7 time to finish fifth overall. Chase Ashcraft (28:35.3, 40th) and Nathaniel Coleman (29:07.9, 41st) also had personal records in their final races of the season.
The women certainly battled amidst even worse conditions than the men. Moreno's senior season run at the conference meet was a success as it was her best performance at conference as she finished in all-conference position with a seventh place overall 19:21.0 5K performance.
Ella Richter continued to make strides finishing ahead of other racers she competed closely with previously as she finished 16th overall with a 20:29.3 time. Eva Serrato was the cog to lead Judson to their third-place finish, per Head Coach Cam Knudsen. Serrato finished with a 21st place overall finish with a 21:04.8 time. Mckinze Kearfott improved her personal best by 23 seconds with a 21:29.9 total time as she finished 24th. Beth Rodriguez capped the Judson scoring with a 22:03.8 time to finish 27th overall.
The Eagles will be making arrangements soon for participation in the national championships. The NAIA final races will be held in Tallahassee, Florida on November 18.