|
| Tyler Sigl crosses the finish line as a national champion | Photo courtesy of St. Olaf Sports Information |
Posted 11/17/07
UW-Platteville's Tyler Sigl started fast and never let up until he won the NCAA III national cross country championship Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.
The Pioneer senior won in a time of 24:24 over the 8,000-meter course.
"When the gun went off, I just went out and got after it," he said. "It's easier to relax when I'm in control, and today I was in control."
Pioneer Coach Tom Antczak was impressed with the race run by the school's first-ever national champion.
"He was very controlled," the coach said. "There was a pack of four who went out, and soon it was down to three, then two and by the time they got to the hill near the last quarter mile, Tyler pretty much trashed him."
Sigl won the national title by 13 seconds over Hamilton's Peter Kosgie, and the normally reserved Pioneer was able to celebrate at the end.
"When I crossed the finish line I was whooping and hollering," he said.
Not only did Sigl win the national championship, he became just the 13th runner in NCAA III history to earn four all-American awards.
"It's overwhelming," he said. "It's the fourth time here. The first year I just wanted to be an all-American, and then I wanted to win it. It feels great to finally get one."
The three-time Midwest Region champion had a target on his back, but never felt from the pressure.
"He was one of three or four names being thrown out there (as a favorite)," Antczak said. "He hadn't lost to a DIII runner all year. I think he loves that (being a favorite) and then showing everyone why he is one. He thrives on that."
The Pioneer men were 11th and the women 12th in the team races.
Jessica Scott led the Pioneers on the women's side, placing 42nd in 22:25 over 6,000 meters. Emma Dreis was 72nd (22:44), Alli Tank 102nd (23:00), Lindsey Vick 149th (23:18) and Eileen McGuine 162nd (23:22) to round out the Pioneer scoring.
On the men's side, Aaron Whalen was 83rd (25:44), Tony Kilburg 90th (25:46), Cameron Klein 167th (26:10) and Patrick Klein 196th (26:20).
New York University won the men's championship, while Amherst won the women's title.
"Our primary goal was to beat our national rankings," Antczak said of his 11th-ranked women and 15th-ranked men. "The guys did that, and the women just missed. We're taking home the 11th and 12-place teams in the country, and that's not too darn bad."
Related Links