SEWARD, Neb. – Thanks to their performances at last week’s GPAC championships, a trio of Bulldogs have officially been named national qualifiers, as announced by the NAIA on Monday. Seniors Jordan Potrzeba and Kim Wood and sophomore Emily Sievert will be part of the field at the 2015 NAIA Cross Country National Championships, which are set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 21 at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte, N.C.
The 60th annual men’s event will include 36 teams and 85 additional individuals. The 36th annual women’s race will be comprised of 36 teams plus another 82 individual qualifiers.
Potrzeba, a native of Hastings, Neb., will make his third career appearance on the national stage after placing sixth at the GPAC championships hosted by Doane. In his previous races at the national championships, Potrzeba has turned in finishes of 272nd (2012) and 212th (2013). He was a member of the 2012 GPAC championship team that placed 21st at the national championships. Porzeba is a two-time all-conference performer in cross country.
Both Wood and Sievert will run at the national championships for the first time in their careers. Wood placed 10th at the GPAC meet on the way to earning her second-consecutive cross country all-conference award. The Greeley, Neb., native is a four-time All-American in track and field. Meanwhile, Sievert finished right behind Wood at the conference championships, checking in at No. 11 for all-conference recognition of her own. Sievert was an indoor track national qualifier last year in both the 3,000 and 5,000 meter events. Emily is the sister of Ben, who made four-straight national championships appearances (2011-14) with an All-America finish in 2013.
Both Bulldog squads were listed among others receiving votes coaches’ polls released on Sunday.
Senior Jordan Potrzeba
Senior Kim Wood
Sophomore Emily Sievert