Nov. 18, 2006

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Twenty-four teams and 187 runners competed in this morning's NCAA Division II Men's Cross Country National Championship Meet at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Pensacola, Fla. Abilene Christian posted three top ten finishers en route to the programs first-ever national championship. Junior Nicodemus Naimadu of Abilene Christian won his third individual national title in three tries.

West Florida's Michael Padilla (Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest HS) competed in his third national championship meet and broke the school record for the best 10K time. Padilla dashed to a time of 30:19.8 for 28th place and NCAA II All-American recognition in his final collegiate career race. The top three 10K race times in the UWF record book belong to Padilla.

"I just tried to relax," said Padilla. "The first mile went really fast so pulled back. I didn't want to burn out. This was my last nationals and last race, and it was nice to have it in my hometown."

Abilene Christian adds their first men's cross country national championship to their 28 indoor and outdoor track and field national championships.

Twenty-one of the 24 teams competing were nationally ranked in the top 25. The nation's second ranked Abilene Christian finished with a combined time of 149:04.3 for 65 points in the 10K race edging No. 1 Adams State who recorded a time of 149:43.6 and 82 points. Fifth ranked Western State's 151:12.2 for 141 points was good enough for a third place finish, and No. 3 Chico State posted a time of 151:43.0 for 171 points. Fourth ranked Grand Valley State rounded out the top five with a time of 153:24.7 for 217 points.

Sixth ranked Harding's time of 153:08.6 for 241 points put the Bisons in sixth place. They were followed by No. 7 Colorado School of Mines who finished with a time of 153:41.9 and 251 points. Ninth ranked Wayne State crossed the finish line in eighth place with a time of 155:26.3 and 318 points. Thirteenth ranked Minnesota State at Mankato slid into the top ten with a ninth place finish with their 156:54.4 and 375 points. Eleventh ranked Stonehill closed out the top ten with a time of 156:59.9 and 392 points.

Naimadu broke the NCAA II record for individual national titles with this third championship. He recorded an impressive time of 29:17.5.

"We expect to win all of our events," said Naimadu. "This is what we've been preparing for. I feel good about what I've accomplished, but I still have more. My goal is to win every race from my freshman to my senior year."

Julius Kosgei of Harding finished in second place with a 29:19.9. Chico State's Scott Bauhs crossed the line in third place with a 29:24.5. Ryan Blood of Lock Haven cruised to a 29:27.0 time, which was good for fourth, and Kim Hogarth of Western State closed out the top five with a time of 29:32.2.

Charlie Serrano of Chico State posted a sixth place finish with a time of 29:34.9. Michel Yorek led Adams State to a second place finish with his team leading time of 29:37.5. Julius Nyango (29:42.3) and Serge Gasore (29:42.6) of Abilene Christian finished eighth and ninth respectively. Adams State's Aucencio Martinez checked in at 29:45.3 for 10th place.

The top 30 overall finishers were named NCAA II All-Americans, and the top 30 time's for American runners only were also named All-Americans.