Cushman headed to National Championships
The University of Indianapolis men’s and women’s cross country teams competed at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Midwest Regional on Nov. 9 in Somers, Wis. The men’s team placed 10thoverall out of 29 teams and the women’s team placed 12th overall out of 27 teams.
Junior Alex Cushman, who placed third overall, will advance to the NCAA Division II National Championships with a finish time of 31:21. Cushman will be the second male in the program’s history to represent UIndy at the National Championships. If Cushman finishes within the top 40 at the National Championships, he will become an All-American.
“I feel like I did a lot better than I thought I was going to do,” he said in reference to his regional performance. “ … I’m really excited to be able to compete in Nationals. It’s an experience of a lifetime.”
Senior Craig Jordan placed 22nd with a time of 32:14, earning All-Region honors.
“I thought I ran very well,” he said. “It was my first 10K, and I was really happy about it. I wasn’t … expecting that.”
The women’s team was led by sophomore Jacklyn Howland, who placed 39th with a time of 22:46. Junior Sutton Knapp placed 43rd moments later at 22:51.
With its season concluded, the women’s team will lose three seniors from this year’s squad, including Emily Bernstein. Although this was her last year, Bernstein said she felt the season ended on a high note.
“I had high hopes this season [with] this being my last one,” she said. “I set some pretty high goals, but I achieved them … The girls are going to be in really good shape. They are going to work very hard next season, and they are going to carry this momentum forward.”
Graduate Assistant Brad Robinson said that despite some setbacks, the teams achieved their goals for the most part. For now, according to Robinson, time will be spent getting Cushman ready, which includes having him train as well as rest from the past weekend.
Cushman will compete in the NCAA Division II National Championships in Spokane, Wash., on Nov. 23 at 11:30 a.m.
