Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
NCAA Championships (Men 10K, Women 6K)
Byrne finishes 186th at NCAA Cross Country Championship
11/21/2005 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
Nov. 21, 2005
By Matt Crouch
www.siusalukis.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Senior cross country runner Joe Byrne ran his last cross country race as a Saluki Monday as he placed 186th out of the 253 competitors at the NCAA Cross Country Championship at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.
"It was really tough out there. I tried to go out fast and wasn't able to as much as I wanted. I gave it my best shot though," said Byrne.
"This was a great experience. Just being part of all the great athletes there. It was a very special meet and I will never forget it."
The Patrick Down, N. Ireland native finished the 10K race in 31:46.60. Wisconsin's Simon Bairu won the individual title with a time of 29:15.90.
Wisconsin also finished with the team championship as its five scoring runners all finished in the top 15.
"This was a good experience for him at the national meet. It is a much different race than anything that he has run in before," said SIU Head Coach Matt Sparks. "Unfortunately for Joe, this was his only chance at it. But, he took a lot from it and I think we took a lot from it as a team.
"Joe's done a lot for SIU the past three years to further distance running and he has been a great example for the rest of the team."
