Courtesy: Cal Athletics
Release: Saturday 11/22/2014
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Redshirt junior Chris Walden and freshman Bethan Knights earn garnered All-American honors at the NCAA Cross Country Championships Saturday afternoon at the LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind. Walden became the second-highest finisher in school history on the men’s side with a 17th-place finish in the men’s race. Knights became Cal’s highest finishing freshman in the program’s history, placing 25th in the NCAA Championships.
“We’re so pleased that both the Cal men and women were represented at the NCAA Championships today and placed high enough for All-American honors,” said California Director of Track & Field and Head Cross Country Coach, Tony Sandoval.
Walden became the third-highest finisher in the program’s history, placing 17th overall with a time of 30:40.3. Tom Downs placed 13th in 1981 and 14th in 1982.
“Chris Walden ran his greatest race ever,” Sandoval said. “A native of nearby Carmel, Indiana where he's run a number of times in both high school and college, this was a breakout season for Chris and he's ready to be the national distance runner we thought he could become.”
Knights, who finished third at the Pac-12 Championships and fourth at the NCAA Regional Championships, placed 25th with a time of 20:30.0. She was the third-highest finishing freshman in the meet.
“This was Bethan’s most competitive field in her short career as a Golden Bear,” Sandoval said. “She's raced all year with poise and toughness that is unusual for such a newcomer and today was no exception. The NCAA race is more difficult because of the physicality of each race and she was one of the top three freshmen. What I appreciate most in Bethan is her relaxed and common-sense approach to running and life. Running so well as a freshmen points to greatness for Bethan in the coming years.”
By finishing in the top-40 at the NCAA Championships, both Walden and Knights earned All-American status. They become Cal’s second and third All-Americans in the last two years. Kelsey Santisteban placed 10th in the 2013 NCAA Championships.
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