NIACC's Bertry wins national title
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. - Sarah Bertry made history Saturday afternoon.
The sophomore standout became NIACC's first-ever women's cross country runner to claim a national title as she won the NJCAA Division II title in a time of 18 minutes, 21 seconds on the five-kilometer course at Pole Green Park.
Bertry basically led the race from start to finish and cruised to the national title by 16 seconds. Mesa CC's Kate Brockman was a distant second in 18:37.
Bertry placed second at last year's national meet in Fort Dodge in 18:33..
Other top NIACC women's finishers at national meets were Anna Buenneke, who was second in 2011, and Hannah Palmeter, who was third in 2014.
NIACC placed 16th in the team standings with 412 points. Lansing CC was the national champion with 78 points and Heartland CC was second with 94 points.
Also for NIACC on Saturday, Lilly Stockberger was 81st in 21:30, Brianna Ross was 103rd in 21:56, Madisyn Heller was 151st in 23:28 and Mercy Melly was 163rd in 24:01.
