2015 NCAA Division II Cross Country West Regionals Results - Women | Men

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Fighting through cold and rainy conditions out at the Ash Creek Preserve for NCAA Division II West Regionals, Academy of Art University cross country had two of its runners, senior Valentin Pepiot and graduate student Pierre Fontanarosa, place in the top 12 to earn a trip to NCAA Nationals in two weeks.

"Valentin and Pierre both took chances in their races and were able to dig a bit deeper when they needed," said director of track & field/cross country Torrey Olson. "I'm very proud of their efforts and I think they both learned that they have more than they thought."

Pepiot built upon an impressive postseason resume that already included 2015 Pacific West Conference Runner of the Year with a fourth place individual result at Regionals through the 10k course. He posted a career-best of 29:53.83 which made him one of just five runners who delivered sub-30:00 marks.

Fontanarosa, the PacWest Newcomer of the Year, was once again not far behind his countryman, offering a 30:13.91 in his first 10k race with ART U. He finished 12th overall at Regionals, capturing the third and final individual bid for Nationals. He edged Robert Peterson of Montana State-Billings by less than two seconds for the honor.

Pepiot and Fontanarosa were the top two finishers from the PacWest Conference with the next representative Jeremy Porter of Azusa Pacific coming in at 22nd overall. Those three individuals received U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honors which were awarded to the top 25 finishers.

"It was a great race," said Pepiot. "I loved the course map. At the beginning, I stayed warm in a huge front pack of 30-40 runners. After six kilometers, the two guys of Alaska Anchorage and William Reyes from Chico State accelerated. It was very fast. I stayed in fifth position for a while and I kicked hard in the last kilometer to give everything. I'm proud of my mental effort and, when I heard that Pierre qualified, I was so happy for him! It's amazing to go to Nationals with him."

As a team, the Urban Knights finished ninth overall, missing the chance to send a greater contingent to Nationals by five spots. Out of a loaded West Region came Alaska Anchorage, Chico State, Cal Poly Pomona, and Simon Fraser, but ART U's next finishers each gained valuable experience with their first collegiate 10k.

Graduate student Kris Everett crossed the line in 61st place with a time of 31:46.86 while freshman Phillip Kruse came in 83rd at 32:19.50.

Additionally, sophomore Chris Costa cut over a minute off his 10k mark from a year ago with a 32:57.72 for 112th overall this time. Though not among Academy of Art's top five qualifiers, junior Austin Esposito also improved upon his previous Regionals performance with a 33:10.07 (115th).

"Several other guys ran well to give the team its highest regional finish, including Chris Costa, who, despite missing a lot of training over the past few weeks with an injury, crossed the line with nothing more to give," said Olson. "Most of all, I'm proud of this team for the work it has done in caring about and running for each other. We still have a lot of work to do as a program, but more and more I see a men's team that is focused on the process and knows where it wants to go."

On the women's side, sophomore McKaela Christenson earned her second consecutive USTFCCCA All-Region honor with a gutty 6k race and 23rd place individual finish. Though she was not one of the three individuals from the West Region to qualify for Nationals, she still ran her best race of the season and second-lowest time of her career at 21:53.7. In her third trip to Regionals as an Urban Knight, junior Kaelyn Harbison took 104th overall with a time of 23:07.37.

"For McKaela to bounce back from a tough conference race and capture all region honors was impressive," said Olson. "This was the best West Region I've experienced and she ran a veteran race."

For Pepiot and Fontanarosa, preparations will now be made to compete at Nationals which take place at the Missouri Southern State University Cross Country Course in Joplin, Mo., a location that has particular historical significance for Academy of Art. The men's 10k race is set for the morning of Nov. 21.

"I am thrilled to be sending two Urban Knights back to Joplin where Jenny Bergren became our first All-American," said Olson. "These guys are hungry and I'm glad we have them to represent us."