Honomichl title guides emotional GPAC Championships weekend

CRETE, NEB. – As Morningside University head track and field coach Dave Nash made his way across the infield at Doane University's Al Papik Field Saturday, May 7, he was greeted by several colleagues from the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

"It was a special moment," the Mustangs skipper, who is stepping down at the end of the 2022 outdoor season, noted. "I was able to shake hands with so many coaches that have meant so much to me in my career." 

"The best part of it was that they all had so many positive things to say about our programs," he added. "Those types of things reflect the kind of athletes we have at Morningside. I'm going to miss that camaraderie --- it is something special."

Nash's men's and women's teams left their leader with memories galore over the two-day league championships. At the top of the list was senior women's standout Kristine Honomichl.

Despite a rough 10,000 meter attempt Friday, the Westminster, Colo., native came out unfazed by warm conditions on the Lauritsen Track. She clocked an 18:40.88, besting the field by nearly 16 full seconds. Honomichl's victory was the women's program's first 5000-meter championship since Erin Keitges in 2009.

"She battled back after the difficult weekend start," Nash said. "Kristine didn't let the warm weather factor in. It was a great race."

Mside's women, posting 66 points to place sixth, also benefitted from a runner-up 4x800 meter group. Pushing the powerhouse Dordt University foursome, seniors Tenna Beel (Stanton, Neb.), Emalee Fundermann (Anthon, Iowa), and Jo McKibben (Mapleton, Iowa), joined by sophomore Emily Chicoine (Primghar, Iowa) hit the line in 9:17.81. Their time was good for a National Intercollegiate Athletics Association Championships automatic qualifying mark, standing sixth-fastest. They also collected third-place marks from senior Betsy Ridout (Ankeny, Iowa) (100); senior Rylee Olson (Hardwick, Minn.) (javelin); and McKibben (1500).

The men turned in two top threes. One came from the 4x800 meter relay. The senior-laden quartet of Camden Beller (Sioux City, Iowa), Zach Ambrose (Dunlap, Iowa), and Ro Paschal (Mancos, Colo.) was joined by freshman Tyson Spradling (Broomfield, Colo.) and crossed in 7:52.37. The second saw sophomore Austin Freiberg (Sergeant Bluff, Iowa) continue to turn heads in the 110-meter high hurdles. He clocked his second collegiate sub 15, hitting the tape at 14.99 after going a career personal best 14.98 in the prelims.

"Our chemistry has never been better," Nash said. "We came together as a team."

"The women scoring 66 points was amazing," he said. "The men didn't have as much ammo but battled as hard as possible. On the way back, we had an end-of-the-year banquet, paying tribute to every senior and every coach. It was a perfect ending to the trip." 

Morningside takes a shot at more national championship qualifying marks Friday, May 13, at the Concordia University Twilight Meet in Seward, Neb.