November 21, 2005 - Ladia Albertson-Junkans and Emily Brown earned All-America honors in leading the Minnesota women’s cross country team to a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Monday, in Terre Haute, Ind. The team finish is the Golden Gophers’ highest in school history, bettering a 10th-place showing in 1983.
“What a great performance by our team,” said Golden Gopher head coach Gary Wilson. “Everyone performed well today. I told the team before the race that you haven’t accomplished anything until you finish the job. Boy, did we finish the job. We’re a pretty emotional and happy group right now.”
Stanford won the national team crown with 146 points, with Minnesota finishing with 361 points and as one of three Big Ten Conference teams to place in the top 10. Illinois (212) bettered Conference champion Michigan (250) for fifth place. Capturing individual medalist honors was junior Johanna Nilsson from Northern Arizona, who covered the 6-kilometer course in a time of 19 minutes, 33.9 seconds.
Albertson-Junkans placed 21st overall to earn the first All-America citation of her career and did so in record fashion. The sophomore from Stillwater, Minn., smashed the school record by nearly 18 seconds in posting a time of 20:19.3. The previous record was set earlier this season by teammate Brown (20:37.2) on the same course in Terre Haute at the Pre-NCAA meet in October.
“Ladia ran like a tiger today,” said Wilson. “She ran an even and controlled race and charged down the stretch.”
“I’m elated mostly because of how the team finished,” said Albertson-Junkans. “Everyone ran an awesome race with a lot of us running personal bests.”
Brown, a junior from West Allis, Wis., added her own All-America performance, placing 29th in a time 20:26.5, a personal best. The top 30 finishers are awarded All-America status. Albertson-Junkans and Brown are the fourth and fifth Golden Gophers to earn All-America accord in the sport of cross country. This is the first time two Minnesota runners earned the honor in the same season.
The third Gopher finisher was senior Lauren Williams, who placed 49th and was clocked at 20:39.8. Completing the scoring was senior Harper McConnell in 168th (21:47.2) and senior Jen Hess in 192nd (21:58.0). Also competing were sophomore Katie Howery, who placed 209th (22:10.1) and sophomore Julie Schwengler, who placed 217th (22:19.3).
The senior class of Williams, McConnell and Hess ran in the final race of Golden Gopher cross country careers.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling right now,” said McConnell after the race. “We are in awe that we were able to accomplish what we set out to do. It’s just an amazing feeling.”
2005 NCAA Cross Country Championships
Monday, Nov. 21, 2005
LaVern Gibson Championship Course – 6K
Terre Haute, Ind.
Team Results
1. Stanford 7-15-19-35-70-(89)-(95) 146
2. Colorado 6-8-32-64-71-(178)-(209) 181
3. Duke 5-38-39-51-52-(53)-(60) 185
4. Arizona State 11-31-34-43-72-(112)-(148) 191
5. Illinois 10-27-46-63-66-(82)-(119) 212
6. Michigan 20-42-54-61-73-(111)-(136) 250
7 Notre Dame 3-12-24-59-154-(168)-(202) 252
8. Brigham Young 18-29-62-74-105-(122)-(133) 288
9. Minnesota 16-21-37-132-155-(171)-(179) 361
10. Oklahoma State 22-55-96-101-103-(118)-(150) 377
20. Wisconsin 26-83-88-131-141-(167)-(173) 469
30. Michigan State 92-113-120-169-177-(207) 671
Top Individuals
1. Johanna Nilsson (Northern Arizona) 19:33.9
2. Caronline Bierbaum (Columbia) 19:46.0
3. Stephanie Madia (Notre Dame) 19:48.4
4. Victoria Mitchell (Butler) 19:50.4
5. Clara Horowitz (Duke) 19:50.7
6. Keira Carlstrom (American) 19:58.1
7. Christine Bolf (Colorado) 19:58.8
8. Arianna Lambie (Stanford) 19:59.1
9. Cack Ferrell (Princeton) 20:03.1
10. Cassie Hunt (Illinois) 20:05.0
Golden Gopher Finishes
21. (16) Ladia Albertson-Junkans 20:19.3
29. (21) Emily Brown 20:26.5
49. (37) Lauren Williams 20:39.8
168. (132) Harper McConnell 21:47.2
192. (155) Jen Hess 21:58.0
209. (171) Katie Howery 22:10.1
217. (179) Julie Schwengler 22:19.3
