JOPLIN, Mo. - Indian Valley graduate Alex Monroe finished fifth overall leading the Lock Haven University men's cross country team Saturday at the 2012 NCAA Division II National Championships.
Monroe also became the first Bald Eagle to become a three-time cross country All-American. The fifth-place finish is the highest Haven finish since Ryan Blood was fourth in 2006.
As a team, Lock Haven finished tied for 18th overall. The Bald Eagles were ranked No. 21 nationally, heading into Saturday's race.
Monroe's sensational time of 29:18.6 (10K) was good enough for fifth. Senior Nathan Zondlo was the Bald Eagles second man today as he cracked the top-100. He was 90th overall in a field of 245 runners.
Zondlo closed out his Haven cross country career with a time of 31:21.2 Shawn Lake was The Haven's third man, finishing 137th with a time of 31:54.2 Dylan Mountain and Mike Garraway were Lock Haven's 4-5 guys and finished 157-179 with times of 32:05.9 and 32:25.8, respectively.
Tyler Hileman was 219th overall (33:10.8) and Mike Nemeth (34:05.0) was 235th overall. Lock Haven (493 points) tied for 18th in the team standings with Eastern New Mexico.
Adams State took home the men's team title (34 points) and was aided by a 2-3-4 finish.
