ACC runners compete at nationals

REND LAKE, Ill. — Allen Community College cross country runners Danae McGee and Gabby Ruiz earned All-American status for their work Saturday at the NJCAA Championships.
McGee, a freshman out of Stroud, Okla., finished ninth out of 295 runners, completing the 4-kilometer course in 18 minutes, 49.6 seconds. Ruiz, a sophomore out of Tulsa, Okla., finished 12th in 19:01.2.
All runners in the top 15 were declared All-Americans.
The performances keyed a ninth-place finish for Allen as a team, their best ever national finish.
“With there being 295 total runners, and we had two in the top 15, that says a lot about these ladies and their dedication this year,” coach Vince DeGrado said in an email. “I was very happy with how we ran.”
The Red Devil men, led by Ryan Pulsifer’s 18th place finish individually, also took ninth among the men’s teams.
Pulsifer was among a pack of runners who placed within the top 15, DeGrado said, putting him just seconds away from an All-American designation.
The Wesley Chapel, Fla., freshman ran the 8K race in 26:41.6.
“Ryan Pulsifer ran by far the smartest race he’s run all year. He got out quick but conservatively, which put him in the best position to continue to move.”

MCGEE AND RUIZ were close to each other on the course until the final mile, DeGrado said.
“I know Danae just went for it and made a strong move that put her in position to finish sixth in the nation.”
McGee had the best time among all freshmen at nationals.
“That will give her a lot of confidence going into the indoor season. Danae and Gabby will continue to have a tremendous year.
“Looking over the results, I believe we had the potential to be on the podium, but you can’t predict how athletes will develop throughout the semester,” he continued. “As a coach, I just hope they can take a lot from this experience and move forward. As long as I’m coaching here, our goal will always be to work toward being a top 5 program and bringing home championships in the region and conference level.”
Allen’s Tsianina Whitetree finished 59th with a time of 20:13.6, followed by Debra Kime in 86th at 20:50.5, Kim Boyle in 99th at 21:05.4, Kim Cooper in 147th at 21:48.8 and Sydney Owens in 148th at 21:49.5.

DEGRADO said strategy he offered the men backfired early in their race.
“The weather was abnormal for November, hot and windy,” DeGrado said.
He urged the runners to start out with a conservative pace.
“All of the runners, with the exception of Ryan, went out too slowly. By the first mile, Ryan was in the top 25, and the rest of the men were 20 seconds back. Twenty seconds might not seem like a lot, however, when it’s within the first mile. That’s a good 100 meters difference. I take full responsibility for that. I was afraid the heat would get the best of us.
“The guys did everything they could to fight and get themselves in the race, which they did. However, you’re only going to move up so much before the elements start to take their toll.”
Pulsifer was followed by Brock Artis in 54th at 27:46.4 and Kyle Schauvliege in 57th at 27:48.4. Evan Adams was 78th in 28:11.3, Garrett Colglazier was 82nd at 28:16.3, Josh Whittaker was 115th at 28:53.9 and Tegan Michael was 154th at 29:40.3.
The men’s race had 283 runners.
“The future is very bright for the men’s program,” DeGrado said. “We return a lot for next year, and recruiting is going very well. The goal for the season was to bring home some top finishes and hang a banner. We were able to win our first ever conference championship, and we’ve got a program the town will be happy to call their own. I’m happy to see this team grow so much.”