CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Evan Thayer became just the fourth Cedarville runner to win the NCCAA individual crown to pace the Yellow Jackets to a runner-up finish at the 37th annual event held at the Elvin R. King Cross Country Course.
Thayer toured the 8,000 meters in a personal-best time of 25:31. He broke by 24 seconds his previous best effort set just a week ago on the same course in the AMC Championship.
Thayer joins Dale Shaw (1978), three-time champion Eric Fillinger (1987, 88, 89) and Sergio Reyes (2002) as the only Yellow Jackets to win the race.
Malone won its fifth straight team banner with 36 points to come out on top in the 23-team field. Cedarville had 69 points with Indiana Wesleyan next at 85.
Two teammates joined Thayer on the NCCAA All-America Team as top 15 finishers. Rob Trennepohl was 11th in 26:33 and Chris Vaughn placed 13th in 26:43.
Also representing the Yellow Jackets were Jordan Davies (21st; 27:03), Josiah Bragg (24th; 27:15), and Joseph Cathey (25th; 27:19). Unfortunately, #1 runner T.J. Badertscher had to drop out while leading midway through the race.
2009 NCCAA MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
Cedarville University - 2009 NCCAA Men's Cross Country Runner-Up