Leatherman Paces Ravens in NCAA Great Lakes Regional

The Anderson University men's cross country team closed out the season in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Saturday in Grand Rapids, Mich.
 
Due to course conditions, the originally-scheduled 8K was reduced to a distance of approximately 7,500 meters.
 
"In the brutal, freezing cold and on a terrible course because of the weather, the men competed fantastically on the rebound meet from conference as we discussed," Coach Sol Stephens said.
 
Ian Leatherman (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) paced the Ravens by finishing 50th place with a time of 25 minutes, 15.3 seconds. After placing 15th in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Championships, the senior from Fishers took fourth among HCAC finishers on Saturday.
 
"Leatherman led us with his top 50 finish but he just missed being All-Region, which is top 35. Leatherman has done nothing but give his all since his first day in the program. Although he didn't achieve his ultimate goal for cross country, he was close and now has to refocus for track season."
 
"I thought [Saturday] went pretty well all things considered," Leatherman added. "After a disappointing performance at conference I had my best regional showing even though I got boxed in in the beginning. I was ultimately able to work my way up...which is amazing. I believe I went out with a bit of a bang even though I wasn't able to clinch a spot in nationals. I was able to beat several conference competitors that beat me two weeks ago and raced well [on Saturday]."
 
Kaleb Guchinski (Fishers, Ind./Fishers) earned 184th with a time of 27:26.5. Clayton Wilson (Greencastle, Ind./Greencastle) claimed 207th with a time of 28:01.7 and Kaid Hutchinson (Pendleton, Ind./Pendleton Heights) closed out in 243rd with a time of 30:37.5.
 
"Kaleb saved his best race for last," Stephens commented. "He run as tough as anyone on the course today. He went for it, put himself in a favorable position and that's all we ask for. [Saturday] wasn't about the times but the racing. Too many kids get so concerned with clock watching and miss out on opportunities to compete. The guys including Kaid and Clayton left it on the course. We're going to take some recovery time, have some meetings and readjust to prepare for track season."