CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The record-setting freshman campaign for John Brown University runner Josh Uzelac came to a close on Saturday, Nov. 21, as he finished 122nd in the 328-runner field at the 2015 NAIA National Cross Country National Championships.
Uzelac started off the race strong and ran with the top 50 to 60 runners through the first two miles around the 10-minute mark. The incredible pace on the fast course continued as Uzelac completed his first four miles of the 8,000-kilometer race in under 20 minutes. The strong pace, however, crowded the field towards the end as the top echelon of the field began to separate down the stretch as a large portion of the runners, including Uzelac, paid for the intense early pace at the end of the race. Uzelac crossed the finish line at an official time of 26:26.2.
Uzelac capped off a tremendous season by setting a new JBU program record with the fastest time at the NAIA National Championships and time set by a freshman since the reboot of the program in 2010. Previously, only two runners, Matt Pearson and Hank Brame, set better marks at the Championships. Brame raced three times in the final race in 1971, 73 and 74, while Pearson earned All-American honors by notching a 25:25 time in 1984.
"Josh ended an incredible year with a gutsy performance," said JBU head coach Scott Schochler. "He raced hard, putting himself towards the front of the field and represented JBU very well. Although he struggled at the finish due to the very fast early pace, Josh finished a great year and great performance and he has a great future ahead of him."
Four of the five top finishers at the meet were from the Sooner Athletic Conference as Oklahoma City claimed its third-consecutive National Championship. Uzelac was the 13th-highest runner to finish from the conference.
Sports on 11/29/2015