October 17, 2023
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association announced its seventh installment of women’s and men’s cross-country Runners-of-the-Week Tuesday. Madison Nelson of Bellevue (Neb.) was selected as the Women’s Runner-of-the-Week. Connor Birdsong of Viterbo (Wis.) was named as the Men’s Runner-of-the-Week.
NSAA Women’s Cross-Country Runner-of-the-Week
Madison Nelson – Bellevue (Neb.) – Junior – Plattsmouth, Neb. – Bellevue’s (Neb.) Nelson ran to a 13
th place finish in the field of 115 runners in the Platte River Rumble, hosted by NCAA Division I Creighton (Neb.). She finished behind nine Division I athletes and two runners from the NJCAA schools. Nelson’s time of 22 minutes, 28.3 seconds was number 2 on Bellevue’s all-time list for six kilometers.
NSAA Men’s Cross-Country Runner-of-the-Week
Connor Birdsong – Viterbo (Wis.) – Graduate Student – Onalaska, Wis. – Birdsong placed 50
th overall out of 368 runners in the NCAA Division III meet, Wisconsin-La Crosse Jim Drews Invitational, for Viterbo (Wis.). He clocked a time of 26 minutes, 30.6 seconds in the 8K race. Birdsong was the top NAIA runner in the field with two top-10 NCAA Division III teams.
Looking Ahead
The North Star Athletic Association cross-country members wrap up their regular-season schedule on Saturday. The NSAA Cross Country Championships will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, hosted by Viterbo (Wis.).
Bellevue (Neb.) is scheduled to run in the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic on Saturday in Ashland, Neb.
Dakota State (S.D.), Dickinson State (N.D.), and Waldorf (Iowa) are set for the Mount Marty (S.D.) Invitational on Saturday morning in Yankton, S.D.
Viterbo (Wis.) travels to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the NAIA Midwest Stampede Invitational, hosted by Mount Mercy (Iowa) Saturday.
Saturday, Oct. 21
Bellevue (Neb.) @ Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic – Ashland, Neb.
Dakota State (S.D.), Dickinson State (N.D.), & Waldorf (Iowa) @ Mount Marty (S.D.) Invitational – Yankton, S.D.
Viterbo (Wis.) @ NAIA Midwest Stampede Invitational – Cedar Rapids, Iowa