Queens Univ Michael Crouch Wins DII XC Nationals!

Senior Michael Crouch (Yucca Valley, Calif., Yucca Valley) left no doubt that he is the best cross country runner in Division II when he decisively kicked away from Columbus State's Meshack Koyioki on a snow covered course at the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships in Louisville, Ky to win the 2010 NCAA National Cross Country Championships individual crown. For almost the entire 10,000-meter course, stride for stride, Crouch matched Koyiaki, who had set himself up as the favorite after winning three match-ups during the season, including the DII Southeast Region title. Crouch waited until 150-meters to go when the finish line was in sight, separating himself and winning by an impressive 3.6 second margin.

A midnight snow storm and temperatures near freezing left the Tom Sawyer Park course in a frozen muddy slippery mess, but Crouch was able to post a solid 30:43.2 mark for 10k despite the conditions. The short handed Royals struggled somewhat finishing 12th in team scoring with Simon Stuetzel (Meinborn, Germany) in 60th, Alexander Schilling (Dresden, Germany, Sportgymnasium ) in 81st, Colin Guillard (Pommerieux, France, Louis Cormontaigne Metz France) in 107th, and Felix Duchampt (Clermont Ferrand, France, Lycée Jeanne d'Arc ( Clermont Fd, France).) in 129th.

"Crouch executed the best he could under the conditions," said coach Scott Simmons. "Meshack has proven himself one of the best in the nation in any division, and Michael's win proves he is too."

Crouch now owns three NCAA national titles having also won the NCAA Indoor 5,000-meters and the Outdoor 1,500-meters. Under coach Scott Simmons, the Royals have recorded four top 15 finishes in four years with the 2009 and 2008 squads finishing seventh, while the 2007 squad took 15th.

Crouch will be the lone Queens harrier to compete in next weekend's US Cross Country Club Championships to be held at Charlotte's McAlpine Creek Park.

Women 9th!!!

On an icy and muddy course after midnight snow showers, Queens University of Charlotte's women's cross country team displayed their strength and depth posting their highest national finish ever bettering their post-championship 13th place ranking with an impressive ninth place finish.

The Royals were led by the 33rd place All-American performance of junior Kimone Hewitt (Orange County, Calif., Segerstram High School). Queens success was due to the close spread of Maraya Slatter (Benson, N.C., West Johnston) (55th), Rosa Young (Spartanburg, South Carolina, Dorman Roebuck High School) (76th), Jessica Neville (Cold Spring, N.Y., Haldane) (85th), and Emilia Skolobowicz (Mystoice, Poland, Mystoice High School)(101st).

"These women have literally marched up the rankings from starting the season unranked to finishing ninth in the nation," said coach Scott Simmons. "Their success is all their own as they have done everything right through a very long, long season."

The Royals finished as the best team from the South, Southeast and South Central regions. Queens looks to remain and improve as a national power as they return all but senior Neville.