Arkansas Places Sixth in NCAA Finale

NCAA-Men

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Arkansas men’s cross country team capped their season with a sixth-place finish at the 2015 NCAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore transfer, Jack Bruce was the top finisher for the Razorbacks collecting a top-25 finish to become their sixth different leader through six races.

Arkansas has now finished in the top 10 three times in the last six years. The Razorbacks sixth-place finish was their best performance since 2006 when they placed fifth at the championships in Terre Haute, Ind.

As the gun sounded to signal the start, Bruce burst out into the open field and positioned himself to attack the course on his terms. Gradually picking off runners through the 5K and 7K marks the Brisbane, Australia native made major moves on the final straight away to place 23rd overall in 30:15.30.

Keeping their pack mentality, Gabe Gonzalez and Frankline Tonui remained close together just a few 100 meters behind Bruce. Both upperclassman finished in the top-50 with Tonui placing 40th in 30:29.60 and Gonzalez 48th in 30:31.70.

Austen Dalquist and Cale Wallace were the final two of the Razorbacks top-five finishing 89th and 112th respectively. Christian Heymsfield and Alex George completed the seven entries placing 170th and 176th respectively.

Bruce and Tonui earned All-American honors for their top-40 finishes. This is the second time that head coach Chris Bucknam has had two All-Americans in the same season. Dorian Ulrey (11th) and Solomon Haile (17th) last accomplished the feat at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Beginning the year at No. 17 the Razorbacks proved the polls wrong with their strong performances meet after meet. Setting their own expectations and maintaining their mental toughness Arkansas closed out the year with their best national outing in nine years.

Quotes to follow.

All-American
Jack Bruce
Frankline Tonui

NCAA Cross Country Championships 10K Results – (Overall/Score)
1. Jack Bruce (23/19) – 30:15.30
2. Frankline Tonui (40/30) – 30:29.60
3. Gabe Gonzalez (48/36) – 30:31.70
4. Austen Dalquist (89/69) – 30:53.10
5. Cale Wallace (112/90) – 31:03.90
6. Christian Heymsfield (170/137) – 31:36.70
7. Alex George (176/143) – 31:40.70

2015 Arkansas Cross Country Schedule
Tuesday, Sept. 1, Cowboy Preview | Stillwater, Okla. | 4th of 4
Saturday, Sept. 19, Iona Meet of Champions | New York, N.Y. | 2nd of 10
Saturday, Oct. 3, Chile Pepper Festival | Fayetteville, Ark. | 1st of 15
Friday, Oct. 16, Pre-Nationals | Louisville Ky. | 3rd of 42
Friday, Oct. 30, SEC Championships | College Station, Texas | 1st of 13
Friday, Nov. 13, NCAA South Central Regional | College Station, Texas
Saturday, Nov. 21, NCAA Championships | Louisville, Ky. | 6th of 31

For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.