Wilson Breaks School Record at Notre Dame Invite

10/3/2014 1:00:00 AM | Cross Country

By: UNI Athletics Communications

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The University of Northern Iowa women's and men's cross country teams competed at the Notre Dame Invitational today in South Bend Indiana. The UNI women began the day's races with a 5k with the Panther men competing in a 5 mile race.

On the women's side senior student-athlete Alex Wilson finished 10th overall among a total of 216 total participants. Wilson broke the UNI school record for the 5,000 meters with a final time of 17:09.1. Wilson was followed by teammates Kelsey Kirchoff (29th), Ashley Norem (52nd), Callie Matthews (67th), Hannah Martin (84th) and Theresa Connelly (92nd) among finishers in the top-half. The women's team placed 6th among 27 teams and had five student-athletes set new personal-records. Kelsey Kirchoff finished her 5k in a final time of 17:35.6, good for a tie of third all-time at UNI and a new personal record for the sophomore. Callie Matthews final 5k time of 17:59.7 was a personal-record for the junior and good enough for 10th on the all-time record list. Hannah Martin and Theresa Connelly, who rounded out the top-half finishers for the UNI women, both set PR's, finishing their 5k's in 18:11.2 and 18:13.7 respectively.

On the men's side junior student-athlete Zach Buchheit placed 8th overall among 180 participants and moved into 8th all-time on the 8k school records list. Buchheit finished his 8k in a final time of 24:29.6 and continued his season long streak of finishing inside the top-10 finishers. Following Buchheit was Terry Nielsen (34th), Ben Fick (37th) and Trai Bunch (45th). Nielsen and Fick each set new 8k personal-records. Finishing in times of 25:01.6 and 25:08.0 respectively. The Panther men placed 8th among 23 teams.

Up Next - Bradley Classic

The Panthers cross country team will take a week off before competing at the Bradley Classic on Friday, October 17th in Peoria, Illinois. The Bradley Classic is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with a women's 5,000 meter race. The men's 6,000 meter race is scheduled to begin shortly after the women's race.

At the 2013 Bradley Classic the UNI cross country team's combined to set eight personal-best records. On the men's side Trai Bunch, Terry Nielsen, Zach Buchheit and Shane Kirchoff set PR's at last year's Bradley Classic. On the women's side Theresa Connelly, Alex Wilson and Kelsey Kirchoff all set PR times.

Follow Panthers Cross Country

Cross-country recaps and results can be found after the conclusion of the races at www.unipanthers.com. Fans can also follow the Panthers cross country team on Twitter at @UNITrackField and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/unitrackandfield. Fans are also encouraged to follow coaches Dave Paulsen (@CoachPaulsen) and Dan Steele (@CoachDanSteele) on Twitter.