Cal State Stanislaus runners off to NCAA championships

KAHUKU, Hawaii -- Cal State Stanislaus' Dawson Vorderbruegge made school history Saturday on home turf in front of friends and family.

Vorderbruegge became the first men's cross country runner in school history to qualify for the NCAA Division II Championships. And when it was over, his father Darren — the basketball coach athletic director of NCAA West Regional host Hawaii Pacific — handed him his medal.

The Stanislaus women also celebrated by becoming the first Warrior team since 2003 to advance to the NCAAs.

Vorderbruegge finished the 10,000-meter race in 32 minutes, 58.39 seconds for 17th place. He will advance to the nationals in Joplin, Mo., Nov. 17.

Vorderbruegge was raised in Honolulu, where both parents reside and work.

"He pressed the entire 10K and left it all on the course," Stanislaus coach Diljeet Taylor said. "I am so proud of him for all the work he has put into this."

The Warrior men placed 14th in the team standings.

The Stanislaus women, ranked fifth out of the 28 teams entering the Regional, exceeded expectations by placing fourth. Only the top five advance. Courtney Anderson earned All-Regional honors by placing 14th, but five Warriors finished under 23:09 to edge past Seattle Pacific.

"They worked hard for it," Taylor said. "They made a presence and went out really hard in the first half and held on."

Rubye Elhard also earned an All-Regional medal by finishing 23rd at 22:37.