Running his way to All-American status
CLEVELAND, Ohio (Nov. 21, 2009) – The top 35 finishers at the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships earn the honor of calling themselves All-Americans. Occidental College sophomore Eric Kleinsasser fell in that group on Saturday morning in a race hosted by Baldwin-Wallace College at the Highland Park Golf Course.
Kleinsasser entered the meet as the No. 2 runner in the West Region and the SCIAC Runner of the Year, for the second consecutive year. He entered the collegiate ranks as a natural talent and a hard worker. Immediately Kleinsasser made a name for himself and since stepping up to the start line two years ago he has done nothing but lead the Tigers all the while continuing to consistently improve.
In a tie [with Francis Reynolds, Puget Sound], ultimately placing 35th, Kleinsasser wrapped up the final All-American spot, finishing in 26:08.4. The 8K race took place on a course full of rolling hills and softer ground under cloudy 50 degree skies.
“I felt good throughout the race and it went how I wanted it to,” Kleinsasser shared following the race. “The course was in pretty good condition, but had muddy patches in places, making things difficult for everyone at points.”
Another challenge that Kleinsasser faced was his place in the pack. In the first ¾ mile, he was running in the top-three, but three miles in he fell to around 40th. The time to make up that deficit was not going to be an easy one to erase as the final mile was uphill.
When asked how he knew where he was among the field Kleinsasser said that there were people calling out numbers all along the course so he had an idea where he was and that he needed to turn it up to finish in the top 35.
“I knew I had to move up in the pack and when I heard the numbers I realized it was a matter of reeling people in during the last mile of the race. I was able to do that and grabbed the last All-American spot.”
When asked about the performance of his only runner at Nationals, head coach Rob Bartlett said, “Eric ran an aggressive race today and it paid off for him. Last year he got out too slow and that took him out of the race. This year, he went out a little too fast, but was able to run tough and pace himself to finish right where he wanted to. We are very proud of the accomplishments Eric has produced this year.”
Kleinsasser was the top finisher from the SCIAC and the third finisher from the West Region behind Jackson Brainerd (18th – 25:524.7) and Reynolds. Ricky Flynn (Lynchburg College) took home the individual title after breaking the course record by nearly a minute, finishing in 25:09.8. In the team competition North Central took home the title and the SCIAC’s only team competing, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, placed 15th.
Kleinsasser becomes the first All-American since both Kevin Chaves and Alex Ramon earned the honor in 2007.
