Monday, March 15
Stillwater, OK
1:40 p.m. EST
University of North Florida
at
NCAA Cross Country Championship
Nathan Jubran Places 75th in NCAA Cross Country Championship
3/15/2021 4:58:00 PM | Men's Cross Country
STILLWATER, Okla. -Â Nathan Jubran placed 75th in the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship Monday afternoon.Â
The junior was the first men's cross country runner from North Florida to qualify for the National Championship. He completed the 10K Oklahoma State Cross Country Course in 31:13.4. His time ranks sixth all-time in the ASUN and his 75th place finish ranks third all-time in the conference.Â
"Going into the race coach and I had a goal to finish in the top-75," said Jubran. "All-American was top-50, which is what the really good goal was. Unfortunately it didn't happen today, but I'm happy with top-75. During the race my plan was to be conservative, but I had to go out hard to be with the pack. I held on with the pack for the rest of the race and held on for dear life to finish."
The championship field was comprised of the best 31 teams and 38 individuals in the country. Conner Mantz of BYU was the men's individual champion in Stillwater. Northern Arizona was crowned the 2020 NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Team Champions.Â
"Our goal was top-75, and for Nathan to finish in the top third is amazing. There's so many good guys that compete in this race," said head coach Jeff Pigg. "One of the things people don't understand is this is all the top-31 teams at same meet. People don't understand the intensity of the race until you do it. When you take all best guys in the county, to place 75th is great. There were great Americans and international student-athletes in this race and he handled that intensity and environment really well."
When asked about competing as an individual Jubran remarked, "There were a lot of other individuals so it wasn't too hard being on my own. In terms of actually racing there were so many guys to shadow off of it felt similar to racing with the team. I of course missed the guys and missed the camaraderie."
The runners faced a very difficult course, as the OSU Cross Country Course is particularly hilly and it was very windy during the race.Â
Coach Pigg added, "He went out smart and competed well, we knew he would give everything he had. He didn't have any anxiety and competed really hard. There were people collapsing and fading, it was a 30 minute battle and he did a fantastic job. He belongs with the fasts guys and once you compete as this level its a great step for him to continue to compete at a high level. He has a really good future ahead."
"It was a fun trip and a good experience. We were really missing rest of the guys. With these guys being that close and competing the way they did at the ASUN Championship, it'll be great to see what we can do next year. Once you're here at the national level you want to come back and bring the guys with you," said Pigg.Â
North Florida now turns towards the outdoor track and field season. The men's and women's teams travel to UCF for the season opener Friday, March 19.
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The junior was the first men's cross country runner from North Florida to qualify for the National Championship. He completed the 10K Oklahoma State Cross Country Course in 31:13.4. His time ranks sixth all-time in the ASUN and his 75th place finish ranks third all-time in the conference.Â
"Going into the race coach and I had a goal to finish in the top-75," said Jubran. "All-American was top-50, which is what the really good goal was. Unfortunately it didn't happen today, but I'm happy with top-75. During the race my plan was to be conservative, but I had to go out hard to be with the pack. I held on with the pack for the rest of the race and held on for dear life to finish."
The championship field was comprised of the best 31 teams and 38 individuals in the country. Conner Mantz of BYU was the men's individual champion in Stillwater. Northern Arizona was crowned the 2020 NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Team Champions.Â
"Our goal was top-75, and for Nathan to finish in the top third is amazing. There's so many good guys that compete in this race," said head coach Jeff Pigg. "One of the things people don't understand is this is all the top-31 teams at same meet. People don't understand the intensity of the race until you do it. When you take all best guys in the county, to place 75th is great. There were great Americans and international student-athletes in this race and he handled that intensity and environment really well."
When asked about competing as an individual Jubran remarked, "There were a lot of other individuals so it wasn't too hard being on my own. In terms of actually racing there were so many guys to shadow off of it felt similar to racing with the team. I of course missed the guys and missed the camaraderie."
The runners faced a very difficult course, as the OSU Cross Country Course is particularly hilly and it was very windy during the race.Â
Coach Pigg added, "He went out smart and competed well, we knew he would give everything he had. He didn't have any anxiety and competed really hard. There were people collapsing and fading, it was a 30 minute battle and he did a fantastic job. He belongs with the fasts guys and once you compete as this level its a great step for him to continue to compete at a high level. He has a really good future ahead."
"It was a fun trip and a good experience. We were really missing rest of the guys. With these guys being that close and competing the way they did at the ASUN Championship, it'll be great to see what we can do next year. Once you're here at the national level you want to come back and bring the guys with you," said Pigg.Â
North Florida now turns towards the outdoor track and field season. The men's and women's teams travel to UCF for the season opener Friday, March 19.
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Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
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