Ricks College races to 2nd national title
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The Ricks College women's cross country team raced to the 1996 NJCAA women's cross country national championship here Nov. 16, the team's second straight national title.
At Johnson Community College, which hosted the event, the Viking women scored 31 team points, easily outdistancing runner-up College of Southern Idaho with 52. In cross country events, lowest score wins.Leading the way for the Viking women was Kara Ormond, a sophomore from Orem, Utah, who passed Marigana Vidodic of Yavapai (Ariz.) Community College in the last 15 yards to win the individual title in 18:40:16. During last year's national championships, Kara placed fourth.
Also finishing strong were Holly Peterson, a sophomore from Green River, Wyo., placing third in 18:52:34; and Katie Williams, a freshman from Ririe, Idaho, who ran to eighth place in 19:23:01. Close behind were sophomores Kelly Johnson, from Durango, Colo, who placed 10th; and Taryn Lawson of Huntington Beach, Calif., who finished 12th. Rounding out the Viking team were Melinda Powell of Rexburg, who finished 14th; and Shari Cordova of Colstrip, Mont., who placed 24th. Serving as alternate for Ricks College was Melanie Clark of Salt Lake City.
Six Viking women earned All-American honors, as the top five places are awarded first team All American, six through 10 are second team, and 11 through 15 are third team.
"The girls ran a tremendous race," said an elated Coach Doug Stutz, who was named NJCAA Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year for the second straight time. Speaking of his personal honor, he said, "It was kind of nice to win
coach of the yearT two years in a row. The girls made it happen."
Three freshmen will return to the team next year as sophomores for the 1997 Ricks College cross country season.
