Jacobs clocks PR at NCAA Championships

Cornell College's Ben Jacobs clocked a personal record in his final collegiate race Saturday at the NCAA Division III Men's Cross Country Championships, hosted by University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh at Lake Breeze Golf Club.

Jacobs placed 86th out of 279 runners in his first appearance at nationals. He finished the eight-kilometer layout in 25:11.50, breaking his previous-best mark by 12 seconds.

Jacobs improved his standing throughout the race after coming in 156th at the one-mile mark. He was 118th at the second mile, and 92nd at the third mile.

"It's hard to ask for too much more than that," Cornell head coach Dan Schofer said. "Four years ago, who would have believed that Ben would finish his cross country career by running 25:11 at the national championships? Ben believed it, and our program believed in Ben. He will serve as an enduring example to all of our younger runners that if you stick with it, train well, and put in the work, great things can happen."

Jacobs was the third-fastest finisher among Iowa Conference participants, trailing only Loras' Dan McDermott (42nd, 24:53) and Central's Eli Horton (52nd, 24:57). Ben Sathre of St. Thomas won the men's race in 23:44.

Several Ram fans and teammates made the nearly five-hour trip to support Jacobs.

"It was great to have so many Cornell fans at the meet. We had over 25 teammates in Oshkosh cheering for Ben," Schofer said. "Cross country is a team sport, and we all share in our successes and failures as a team. The atmosphere at the national championships is phenomenal, and I know being there Saturday got our returners fired up to do what it takes to get back to nationals next year."

Jacobs picked up all-conference (sixth) and all-region (seventh) accolades during a stellar senior season for the Rams. He became just the second Cornell men's runner to compete at nationals in the last 21 years, joining two-time qualifier Andrew Tobben (2009-10).