Cross Country Weekly Awards

October  12-18

Men's Cross Country
Andy Ashenden, Concordia University Wisconsin
...6-0...Junior...Grafton, Wis. (Grafton)...
Ashenden won the Wisconsin Private College Championship meet in Ripon, Wis., this past Saturday setting a new personal best. His first place time of 25:36.1 beat out Edgewood College's Josh Williams, the runner-up at the event, by almost 20 seconds. The Falcons finished third, but were the top NAC team at the championship.

Other nominees: Phil Allman (Concordia University Chicago), Josh Williams (Edgewood College), Zak Lutz (MSOE).

Women's Cross Country
Samantha Gries, Concordia University Wisconsin
...5-8...Junior...Cleveland, Wis. (Oostburg)...
Gries finished second setting a new personal best at the Wisconsin Private College Championship meet in Ripon, Wis., on Saturday. Her time of 23:51 was best among other NAC finishers where the Falcons finished fourth for the top NAC score at the event.

Other nominees: Katie Renteria (Alverno College), Danielle Smith (Benedictine University), Rachel Riske (Concordia University Chicago), Corrin Koslowski (Edgewood College), Amanda Heller (MSOE), Katie Schommer (Wisconsin Lutheran College).

September 28-October 4

Men's Cross Country
Zak Lutz, MSOE
...5-6...Senior...West Allis, Wis. (Nahan Hale)...
For the second week in a row Lutz set a personal best time of 27:15.98, good for a second place finish at the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warrior Invitational. Lutz' time was the fastest among the four NAC teams competing at the event.

Other nominees: Connor Boushon (Edgewood College).

Women's Cross Country
Katie Schommer, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...5-3...Sophomore...Fort Atkinson, Wis. (Lakeside Lutheran)...
Schommer placed fourth overall out of 113 runners on Saturday at the Warrior Invitational hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College. She completed the 6K course in 24:22 and was the NAC’s top finisher at the event.

Other nominees: Katie Renteria (Alverno College), Erica Johnson (Edgewood College).

September 21-27

Men's Cross Country
Derek Kieninger, Concordia University Chicago
...6-0...Senior...Hanover Park, Ill. (Hoffman Estates)...
Kieninger broke the 28-minute barrier for the first time, finishing 14th out of 118 runners with a time of 27:28 at the Lake Forest College Invitational. His 8K time was a 33.8 second improvement on his previous standard and helped CUC to a fifth place finish.

Other nominees: Zach Lutz (MSOE).

Women's Cross Country
Rachel Riske, Concordia University Chicago
...5-8...Senior...Mount Prospect, Ill. (Hersey)...
Riske finished fifth out of 118 runners with a 19:35 in the 5K Lake Forest College Invitational. This time beat her previous best, set on the same course last year, by a whopping 92 seconds. Riske moved into second on CUC's all-time list for the women's 5K.

Other nominees: none

September 14-20

Men's Cross Country
Andy Ashenden, Concordia University Wisconsin
...5-11...Sophomore...Grafton, Wis. (Grafton)...
The sophomore led CUW to a third place finish at the 2009 Falcon Invite with the top time of all NAC competitors at 26:21.

Other nominees: Phil Allman (Concordia University Chicago), Andrew Garvey (Edgewood College).

Women's Cross Country
Katie Schommer, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...5-3...Sophomore...Fort Atkinson, Wis. (Lakeside Lutheran)...
Schommer finished 23rd overall out of 138 runners on Saturday at the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Invitational. She completed the 6k course in 24:37.

Other nominees: Rachel Riske (Concordia University Chicago), Jasmine Hall (Dominican University), Erica Johnson (Edgewood College).

September 7-13

Men's Cross Country
Phil Allman, Concordia University Chicago
...6-0...Freshman...Schaumburg, Ill. (Schaumburg)...
The freshman ran another strong race, finishing 12th out of 110 runners with a time of 27:05.5 in his first 8K. He helped lead the Cougar men to fifth place finish at the Aurora Spartan Classic.

Other nominees: Alex Arman (Benedictine University), William O'Malley (Maranatha Baptist Bible College).

Women's Cross Country
Danielle Smith, Benedictine University
...5-8...Sophomore...Oak Forest, Ill. (Marian Catholic)...
Smith was just 5 seconds off her personal best with a time of 25:07.5 at the Aurora Spartan Classic, good for a 15th place finish.

Other nominees: Sarah Olson (Alverno College), Rachel Riske (Concordia University Chicago).

August 31-September 6

Men's Cross Country
Phil Allman, Concordia University Chicago
...6-0...Freshman...Schaumburg, Ill. (Schaumburg)...
The rookie led 13 Cougar men in the first meet of the 2009 season. He finished 35th out of 201 runners overall, scoring 24 team points and came in first among all NAC runners.

Other nominees: Nathan Richardson (Edgewood College), Zach Lutz (MSOE), Seth Lagerhausen (Rockford College).

Women's Cross Country
Katie Schommer, Wisconsin Lutheran College
...5-3...Sophomore...Fort Atkinson, Wis. (Lakeside Lutheran)...
Schommer placed 10th overall out of 147 runners on Saturday at the Tom Barry Invitational in Green Bay, Wis. She completed the 5K course in 20:19 and was the NAC's top finisher at the meet.

Other nominees: Sarah Olson (Alverno College), Rachel Riske (Concordia University Chicago), Christy Heintz (Edgewood College), Audra Carlson (Rockford College).