Runner-up finish for Mustangs; Danielsen going to nationals

CLINTON, Iowa -- Mount Mercy junior Kara Danielsen was an all-conference performer and earned a trip to the NAIA national meet as the Mustangs finished second at the 2010 Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships on Saturday at the Clinton Country Club.

All seven Mustangs finished in the top 20, including Danielsen, who was sixth with a time of 20:07. Freshman Anne Bruno placed 11th in 20:27, sophomore Taylor Helms 13th in 20:32, freshman Wendi Dunn 16th in 20:38, senior Erin Behan 17th in 20:42, senior Kori Yotter 18th in 20:47, and sophomore Britney Yotter 19th in 20:55.

Viterbo (Wis.) had three runners in the top five en route to the team title with 36 points. The V-Hawks also snapped Mount Mercy's streak of four straight conference championships. The Mustangs were second with 63 points, followed by Grand View (67 points), St. Ambrose (81), Clarke (130), William Penn (177), Ashford (199), and Iowa Wesleyan (243). Grand View's Obsie Birru (17:56) was the Women's Harrier of the Year, winning the women's 5K by nearly a full minute over Viterbo's Bea Foley (18:50).

Danielsen will compete at the 2010 NAIA Cross Country National Championships on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 12:30 p.m. (CT) at Fort Vancouver in Vancouver, Wash.