FULL RESULTS

Clinton, Miss. – Freshman Michael Normand placed 17th individually to lead the Concordia University Texas men's cross country team to a fifth-place finish at the 2012 American Southwest Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Mississippi College. It was the team's second-highest finish ever and best since placing fourth in 2001.

Texas-Tyler cruised to its third straight team title by accumulating 26 points, which included having five of the top eight finishers. Mississippi College (68), LeTourneau (106) and Hardin-Simmons (110) placed second through fourth, and Concordia earned 130 points to finish fifth.

Normand ran the fastest 8,000-meter time in school history at a postseason championship meet and was among five Tornados who surpassed the previous standard of 29:21.38 that was recorded by Warren Sanders at the 2010 ASC Championships. He hit the tape in 27:50.26. Alix Chavez placed 30th overall in 28:50.36, while Christian Obregon was 34th by clocking in a time of 29:08.18. Riley Zoch and Eddie Rodriguez finished 36th and 37th with marks of 29:17.10 and 29:17.34, respectively, to complete the team's top five.

Notes: Concordia recorded its highest finish in more than a decade and second-best ever thanks in large part to its strong freshmen class … The team's top four finishers – Michael Normand, Alix Chavez, Christian Obregon and Riley Zoch – are all freshmen who were competing on an 8,000-meter circuit for just the second time at any level … The freshman class has made up at least four of the Tornados' top five runners at every meet this season … Normand has finished first on the team at four of the six meets, including the last three, while Obregon has led the way for the Tornados twice this season.
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Team Standings:
1. Texas-Tyler 26; 2. Mississippi College 68; 3. LeTourneau 106; 4. Hardin-Simmons 110; 5. Concordia 130; 6. East Texas Baptist 155; 7. Ozarks 198; 8. Texas-Dallas 213; 9. Schreiner 218; 10. Howard Payne 286; 11. Sul Ross State 295; 12. Louisiana College 345.

Concordia Results:
17. Michael Normand 27:50.36; 30. Alix Chavez 28:50.16; 34. Christian Obregon 29:08.18; 36. Riley Zoch 29:17.10; 37. Eddie Rodriguez 29:17.34; 48. James Washington 30:18.21; 58. Richard Aragon 31:00.49.