Fakler leads Xavier at NAIA National Championships

Catherine Fakler

VANCOUVER, Washington  -- Catherine Fakler ran 5,000 meters in 20 minutes, 12 seconds Saturday to record Xavier University of Louisiana's fastest time ever at the NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championships.

Fakler, a sophomore, placed 191st out of 320 runners and set XU women's records at nationals for highest finish and most runners beaten. Her time is the 21st fastest in XU women's history.

Freshman David Holobowicz was Xavier's top finisher in the men's race. He ran 8,000 meters in 28:21 to place 275th out of 309 runners.

Xavier finished 31st out of 32 women's teams and 31st out of 31 men's teams. This was the fourth appearance at nationals in five years for both the Gold Nuggets and the Gold Rush.

Xavier's other finishers in the women's race were Hali Yarmush (249th, 20:53), Zahri Jackson (286th, 21:43), Hannah Finnegan (289th, 21:45), Donyé Coleman (302nd, 22:16) and Briana Simms (316th, 22:50). The other XU men's finishers were Kwame Jackson (287th, 28:42), Aaron Yarmush (288th, 28:43), Emmanuel Detiege (304th, career-best 30:04) and Javon Mead (307th, 30:42).

XU's Matt Pieri, a two-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference individual champion, was injured and did not compete.

British Columbia scored 98 points to end the three-year reign of Cal State San Marcos as women's team champion. College of Idaho's Hillary Holt was the individual champion in 17:00, 20 seconds faster than runner-up Sharon Ronoh of Lindsey Wilson. St. Francis (Ill.) won the men's team championship with 138 points, and John Gilbertson of The Master's was the fastest male in 23:56, 10 seconds better than second-place Greg Montgomery of College of Idaho.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS