Two Cardinals earn All-American honors

November 20, 2006 —

Paul Jozwiak and Becca Rudey picked the most opportune time to set their career bests.

Joziwak, a senior, and Rudey, a junior, earned All-American honors on Saturday at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Nationals in Pensacola, Florida.

Running without her team, which did not qualify, Rudey finished 16th among 187 women, finishing the 6K race in a career-best 20:48.4. She missed earning a plaque by just one second.

The men's team, which came into the event ranked 21st in the nation, was one of 24 to qualify. The Cardinals finished 12th, with Jozwiak leading the way. In his last race, he crossed the line of the 10K race in 30:18.7, finishing 23rd and becoming an All-American for the second consecutive year.

Senior Brandon Johnson was the second Cardinals runner to finish, placing 50th with a time of 31:12.0. Junior Nick Krus took 79th at 31:46.3 and was followed by senior Greg Schmit at 87th with a time of 31:58.0. Freshman Cortland Seaver was the last runner to earn points for SVSU, finishing 112th at 32:30.2.

Junior Eric LaCross placed 120th at 32:39.4 and sophomore Len Weddel placed 151st with a time of 33:37.4.