A Derry athlete has completed an impressive season on the American colleges cross country scene.
John Paul WIlliamson in action on Saturday.
John Paul Williams, a member of the City of Derry Spartans Athletic Club, put in an impressive performance against a world class field to record a speedy 25 minutes 32 seconds to finish 60th in the highly prestigious NAIA Cross Country Championships in Rim Rock Farm, Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday last.
The eight kilometre race featured 321 student-athletes from 96 schools and was won by Eric Avila (Southern Oregan College) in 24.02.
Representing Lindsey College in Columbia, Kentucky, the event brought to a finish an impressive season for the Derry athlete who picked up honours at the Midway College XC (8k), Berea College Invitational XC (8k), Kentucky Weselyan Invitational Cross Country (8k) and the Columbia 5k road race in recent months.
It was the Derry athlete’s second appearance at the NAIA Men’s Cross Country National Championship.
Last season, as a freshman, he was placed 220 out of 309 competitors.
Williamson ran a 25:43.16 at the Louisville Classic, an 8-kilometer race on October 5, 2013. That time is just under two minutes better than his time at last year’s national championship race.
Tags: