Griggs 16th-Best Freshman in Nation

JOPLIN, MO.-- Mars Hill's Alex Griggs finished 16th among all freshman runners at the NCAA Division II Cross County National Championships, held Saturday morning at Missouri Southern State University.

Griggs ran a personal-best time of 31:54.7, which was good enough for 138th overall in the nation. His time was six seconds better than his effort at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championship, where he placed fifth overall. Griggs was the lone Lion representative in the National Championship race. Nearly 250 runners competed in the event, with 32 teams vying for the national crown.

The race caps off an outstanding debut campaign for Griggs, which saw the freshman earn First Team All-SAC and All-Southeast Region honors. Griggs was the lone South Atlantic Conference representative in the national championship meet.

Micah Chelimo of Alaska-Anchorage was the individual champion with a 28:56.6 time. He finished 16 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. Adams State won the team championship behind three top-five finishes.