McReynolds, Gallagher Compete at Cross Country Nationals

William Penn University Athletics

Vancouver, Wash.–On a soaked course with more rain coming down during the day, William Penn harriers Valinn McReynolds (Grad., Bellville, Texas, Master’s of Business Leadership) and Yanni Gallagher (Fr., Kanab, Utah, Psychology) ran against the nation’s best at the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Cross Country National Championships Saturday.

McReynolds placed 211th out of 320 female runners with a time of 20:22 on the 5K course at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Hillary Holt of College of Idaho won the race with a time of 17:00.

British Columbia claimed its first-ever team crown with 98 points (four in the top 20), while College of Idaho was second with 112 points.

Gallagher placed 234th out of 309 male competitors with a time of 27:27 on the 8K course. John Gilbertson of The Master’s (Calif.) topped the field with a time of 23:56.

St. Francis (Ill.) also earned its first national title with 138 points (three in the top 20). Southern Oregon took runner-up honors with 153 points.

It was the first time since 2003 that William Penn had runners from both the men’s and women’s sides represent the school at nationals.