Sievert’s performance at NAIA Preview lands GPAC weekly honor
SEWARD, Neb. – For the fifth time in his career (first this season), senior Ben Sievert has been named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week, as announced by the conference on Wednesday. The native of Frankenmuth, Mich., received the same honor twice as both a sophomore and junior as part of his standout career.
In his latest performance, Sievert placed sixth (first among GPAC runners) out of 300 competitors at the NAIA Preview Meet held at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kan., site of the upcoming national championships. The 2013 NAIA All-American’s time of 25:43.6 on the 8K Rim Rock Farm course represented a season best following times of 26:34 at the Woody Greeno Invite (Sept. 20) and 27:29 at the Roy Griak Invite (Sept. 27).
“Ben ran a great race. He really ran well,” Concordia head cross country coach Kregg Einspahr said after the meet. “He was in the top for the whole race against some great competition.”
Sievert’s effort helped the Bulldogs place 10th out of 31 teams in Lawrence. Out of the five GPAC men’s teams in attendance, Concordia finished behind only Dordt (ninth) and in front of Doane (12th), Midland (20th) and Hastings (30th).
At the 2013 NAIA Cross Country National Championships, Sievert claimed 19th place (out of 313) by clocking in at 25:02 on the same course in Lawrence.
Sievert and the Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, Oct. 25 when they run at the Mount Marty Invite in Yankton, S.D.
