Top Ten Finishes for Men and Women's X-Country

Adam Hunt
Sports Reporter / Columnist

The Mercer men’s and women’s cross country teams both clinched top ten finishes at the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship in DeLand, Fla.

The Bears faced tough conditions at the Stetson-hosted event, with searing heat, a notoriously difficult course and talented opposition all playing a part.

The men fielded a young team, with three freshman out of six runners, and placed seventh in the final standings.

Jacob Law finished first for Mercer and 14th overall with a time of 26:50 in the 8k event. Senior Roland Adams posted the second best time with a 27:32, good for 31st. Rounding out Mercer’s top five was Chris Svidesskis (46th), Marc Kushinka (47th) and Taylor Snyder (56th).

“We all ran very fast times despite the humidity,” said Law. “We ran what would have been a team record but the course was yielding times about a minute longer than an average 8k race.”

On the women’s side, freshman Kacie Niemann continued her stunning first season for the Bears with a 13th place finish. She concludes the Fall schedule having placed in the top 25 in every race.

However, the diminutive Niemann saved her best for last, posting an 18:32 in the 5k race, her fastest time of the year.

Clara Densmore just missed out on a 5k personal best, finishing 54th at 20:24. Following Densmore was Christian Kivi (59th), Karen Dorris (61st), Kasie Knapper (64th).
Mercer’s Georgia rivals Kennesaw State won the men’s title, while Jacksonville University captured the women’s crown.

Thanks to their stellar performances, both Niemann and Law won places on the Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman team for 2009.
Niemann finished third out of all freshmen in the women’s race.
Law was the fourth freshman to finish on the men’s side. The Crestwood, KY native also garnered second team all-conference honors.

Law said: “I feel I have improved a lot this season and the team is going from strength to strength. The A-Sun is getting tougher and the other teams have recruited a lot of talented international runners, but we can be a force next season for sure.”