Friday, November 15
Peoria, Ill. (Newman Golf Course)
11:00 AM
Creighton University
at
NCAA Regionals
Carly Manchester
Photo by: Jay Slagle
Cross Country Ends Season at NCAA Regionals As Kraus Breaks 10K Record
11/15/2024 1:57:00 PM | Men's Cross Country / Track, Women's Cross Country / Track
Men's ResultsWomen's ResultsMen's 10K Overall ResultsMen's 10K Team ResultsWomen's 6K Overall ResultsWomen's 6K Team Results
Evan Kraus breaks Creighton's 10K cross country record
PEORIA, Ill. -- Evan Kraus and Carly Manchester led the Creighton men's and women's cross country teams at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Peoria, Ill., on Friday afternoon. The Bluejay men placed 18th in the race while the women took 31st in a competition against some of the nation's best teams.
"The Midwest Regional is always a tough test," said head coach Chris Gannon. "During the Regional coaches meeting this week, it was made note of that have the deepest region in the country and that even beyond that, top to bottom this year may have been the best Regional meet ever."
Kraus set a Creighton record in the 10K with a time of 30:56.15, becoming the first Bluejay to eclipse the 31 minute mark as he erased Marcos Gonzalez's previous mark of 31:02.5 set two years ago at the NCAA Midwest Regional. It's part of a strong late-season surge by the sophomore from Colorado, who won the Platte River Rumble Collegiate race on Oct. 18 in Ashland, Neb. His time was good for 72nd place in the race of 199.
Senior Jake Ziebarth, who led CU at the BIG EAST Championships two weeks ago, closed out his collegiate career on the trail in 81st place. He crossed the tape in 31:04.44.
CU's other three contributors to its team score of 496 were junior Noah Jodon (105th; 31:21.36) and seniors Ryan Montera (117th; 31:36.38) and Marcos Gonzalez (132nd; 31:56.25). Rounding out the line-up were junior Cole Haith (179th; 33:16.82) and senior Jack Sorensen (188th; 33:39.86).
Oklahoma State had the top two finishers on the men's side, as Denis Kipngetich (28:51.46) outraced teammate Laban Kipkemboi (29:06.23) to the tape. Oklahoma State also won the team title with 25 points, edging out Iowa State's 43 points.
"For this group of men, we will lose a lot, almost the flip of the ladies team," said Gannon. "It's pretty incredible to look back at where this group of men started and to see where they have taken this program. They bought in and believed, they worked hard and established a new standard for Creighton Cross Country. I am extremely thankful for them and excited for what lies ahead."
In the women's race Carly Manchester finished in 142nd place with a time of 22:11.39. It's the first time in the junior's career that she's been CU's top finisher.
Junior Anika Nettekoven (167th; 22:31.65), sophomore Taylor Rorick (171st; 22:33.37) and junior Katherine Soule (172nd; 22:36.89) ran as a group for and finished within five seconds of each other. Katie Roche's debut at the NCAA Midwest Regional saw the freshman take 186th in 22:55.91.
Fellow freshmen Alexis Leone (189th; 22:56.68) and Madline Lage (216th; 23:29.04) also competed.
"We are always looking for positive takeaways for us to grow and improve upon," added Gannon. "For the ladies, it's that we don't lose anyone from the group who raced today. We will get back to work, find ways to improve, and raise the standard."
Oklahoma's Leah Jeruto (19:42.87) won the women's race, finishing six seconds ahead of Minnesota's Ali Weimer (19:48.85). There were 230 women to compete in the 6K race.
Oklahoma State won the 33-team women's race with 61 points, just ahead of Minnesota's 76 and Northwestern's 103.
"We will take a few down weeks and then get ready for indoor," said Gannon in closing. "The opportunity to compete at BIG EAST Indoor Championships is exciting and will help us further elevate our program."
"The Midwest Regional is always a tough test," said head coach Chris Gannon. "During the Regional coaches meeting this week, it was made note of that have the deepest region in the country and that even beyond that, top to bottom this year may have been the best Regional meet ever."
Kraus set a Creighton record in the 10K with a time of 30:56.15, becoming the first Bluejay to eclipse the 31 minute mark as he erased Marcos Gonzalez's previous mark of 31:02.5 set two years ago at the NCAA Midwest Regional. It's part of a strong late-season surge by the sophomore from Colorado, who won the Platte River Rumble Collegiate race on Oct. 18 in Ashland, Neb. His time was good for 72nd place in the race of 199.
Senior Jake Ziebarth, who led CU at the BIG EAST Championships two weeks ago, closed out his collegiate career on the trail in 81st place. He crossed the tape in 31:04.44.
CU's other three contributors to its team score of 496 were junior Noah Jodon (105th; 31:21.36) and seniors Ryan Montera (117th; 31:36.38) and Marcos Gonzalez (132nd; 31:56.25). Rounding out the line-up were junior Cole Haith (179th; 33:16.82) and senior Jack Sorensen (188th; 33:39.86).
Oklahoma State had the top two finishers on the men's side, as Denis Kipngetich (28:51.46) outraced teammate Laban Kipkemboi (29:06.23) to the tape. Oklahoma State also won the team title with 25 points, edging out Iowa State's 43 points.
"For this group of men, we will lose a lot, almost the flip of the ladies team," said Gannon. "It's pretty incredible to look back at where this group of men started and to see where they have taken this program. They bought in and believed, they worked hard and established a new standard for Creighton Cross Country. I am extremely thankful for them and excited for what lies ahead."
In the women's race Carly Manchester finished in 142nd place with a time of 22:11.39. It's the first time in the junior's career that she's been CU's top finisher.
Junior Anika Nettekoven (167th; 22:31.65), sophomore Taylor Rorick (171st; 22:33.37) and junior Katherine Soule (172nd; 22:36.89) ran as a group for and finished within five seconds of each other. Katie Roche's debut at the NCAA Midwest Regional saw the freshman take 186th in 22:55.91.
Fellow freshmen Alexis Leone (189th; 22:56.68) and Madline Lage (216th; 23:29.04) also competed.
"We are always looking for positive takeaways for us to grow and improve upon," added Gannon. "For the ladies, it's that we don't lose anyone from the group who raced today. We will get back to work, find ways to improve, and raise the standard."
Oklahoma's Leah Jeruto (19:42.87) won the women's race, finishing six seconds ahead of Minnesota's Ali Weimer (19:48.85). There were 230 women to compete in the 6K race.
Oklahoma State won the 33-team women's race with 61 points, just ahead of Minnesota's 76 and Northwestern's 103.
"We will take a few down weeks and then get ready for indoor," said Gannon in closing. "The opportunity to compete at BIG EAST Indoor Championships is exciting and will help us further elevate our program."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
/ Women's Cross Country / Track
/ Men's Cross Country / Track
Creighton Cross Country's Matthew Fayers Media Availability - 9/3/25
Wednesday, September 03
Creighton Cross Country Media Availability - 8/27/25
Wednesday, August 27
Creighton Media Availability - 8/20/25
Thursday, August 21
Creighton Javelin thrower Jacob Ludwick - NCAA First Round (5/28/25)
Wednesday, May 28
