Benedictine Ravens Sweep Heart Cross Country Runner of the Week Honors
The Heart of America Athletic Conference announced its Heart Cross Country Runner of the Week award winners on Monday and Benedictine College swept the awards.
Natasha Ortiz and David Mannella won the Heart Women's and Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week awards respectively.
Ortiz and her teammates competed at the Gans Creek Open in Columbia, Missouri on Friday. The senior finished the 6K in a time of 22:29.8 and placed 5th overall. She was the only NAIA runner in the field to place in the Top 10. The event featured 165 total runners.
Mannella and the Ravens also competed at the Gans Creek Open, hosted by the University of Missouri.
The senior placed 13th overall with a time of 25:39.4 and was the only NAIA competitor to finish in the Top 20. The event featured runners from NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NAIA and JUCO levels.
The 8K event had 218 total runners compete.