Nov. 19, 2007

Photo Gallery 

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Behind impressive All-America performances from Jenna Kingma and Ali Kielty, as well as solid finishes from younger runner, the Arizona State University women's cross country team earned its second trophy finish in three years as the Sun Devils placed fourth at the 2007 NCAA Cross Country Championships Monday afternoon in Terre Haute, Ind. The Sun Devil men also competed as a team in the meet and placed 26th after entering the meet ranked 30th.

The women, who also placed fourth in 2005, scored 251 points and were only 15 points out of third place, to earn the trophy (national Top 4 finish) as the Pac-10 earned three of the Top 4 finishes. Stanford won with 145 points and were followed by Oregon (177), Florida State (236), ASU (251) and Michigan State (321) in the Top 5. The finish for the women capped a stellar season in which the Sun Devils were ranked either No. 5, No. 6 or No. 7 in the national polls as the team was not expected to trophy.

In the men's race, the Sun Devils placed 26th overall with 601 points, its lowest finish in the five meets it has run. Oregon took the title with 85 points and was followed by Iona (113), Oklahoma State (180), Northern Arizona (190) and Wisconsin (239) in the Top 5.

Jenna Kingma led the way for the women as she placed 37th overall in 21:01 and was followed by Ali Kielty, who finished 42nd in 21:08. The Top 30 individuals in the race earn All-America honors, as well as the Top 30 American-born athletes, which enabled the Sun Devil duo to earn their first national certificates in the sport. All told, the honor is the third overall in Kingma's career (her first in cross country) while the accolade was the first in Kielty's career.

Following the All-American duo was Kari Hardt, who finished 50th overall in 21:12, while true-freshman Camille Olson clocked in at the same time for a 51st-place finish. Olson was the fourth freshman to finish the race in just her fourth collegiate race and was only a few places away from earning All-America honors. Krystal Duke rounded out the Top 5 scorers for the Sun Devils, placing 155th in 21:58. Angela Spadafino (180th in 22:13) and Whitney Lemieux (228th in 22:58) also competed for the team in the meet.

On the men's side, sophomore Jeff Helmer led the way for the Sun Devils as he placed 91st in 31:05 with Kyle Alcorn placing 110th in 31:11. Redshirt freshman Ben Engelhardt turned in a strong run as he was third on the team with a placement of 163rd in 31:39 while Alonso Contreras (186th in 31:50) and Joey Heller (191st in 31:56) rounded out the team's Top 5. Mikias Gelagle (206th in 32:19) and Garrett Kelly (230rd in 32:51) also competed for the team in the meet.

The cross country season has concluded for the Sun Devils with the completion of the national meet. Next up for the Sun Devils will be the indoor track & field season, which is set to open in mid-January.

2007 NCAA Championship Results
Women's Team Results
1. Stanford - 145
2. Oregon - 177
3. Florida State - 236
4. Arizona State - 251
5. Michigan State - 321

ASU Women's Individual Results
37. Jenna Kingma - 21:01
42. Ali Kielty - 21:08
50. Kari Hardt - 21:12
51. Camille Olson - 21:12
155. Krystal Duke - 21:58
180. Angela Spadafino - 22:13
228. Whitney Lemieux - 22:58

Men's Team Results
1. Oregon - 85
2. Iona - 113
3. Oklahoma State - 180
4. Northern Arizona - 190
5. Wisconsin - 239
26. Arizona State - 601

ASU Men's Individual Results
91. Jeff Helmer - 31:05
110. Kyle Alcorn - 31:11
163. Ben Engelhardt - 31:39
186. Alonso Contreras - 31:50
191. Joey Heller - 31:56
206. Mikias Gelagle - 32:19
230. Garrett Kelly - 32:51