Nelson's Monster PR Leads Cobbers At Season Opener

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/13/24)---For first-year runner, Ashley Nelson, the inaugural meet of her college career was no big deal. Nelson clocked a monster personal-best time to lead Concordia at the season-opening MSU Moorhead Twilight Meet.

Nelson was the Cobbers' top finisher from the opening start until the finish line. She covered the 5K course in a time of 18:35.5 which was over a minute faster than her previous PR. That mark was good for a 13th-place finish in a field of 85 athletes. Nelson's time was also 37.8 seconds clear of the team's next finisher.

Nelson's Top 15 finish in her first college meet helped Concordia post a 4th-place finish in the final team standings. Concordia finished with 120 team points, which was 20 points shy of DII Bemidji State but 12 points in front of DII SW Minnesota St.

Senior Drew Frolek pushed Nelson for the entire race and was the Cobbers' No.2 runner. She came home in a time of 19:31.3, which was good for a Top 20 finish as she placed 20th on the final individual result sheet.

Sophomore Amelia Rowley placed in the Top 35 at the meet and was Concordia's No.3 finisher. She crossed the line in a time of 20:21.4.

The Cobbers earned a scoring spot from another first-year athlete. Kelyn Henry-Perlich pushed a steady pace for the entire race and clocked a 21:02.8 in her first collegiate meet.

Airial Johnson and Londyn Ames were side-by-side at the finish line to claim the team's No.5 and No.6 spot. Johnson was able to nose Ames out at the wire and was awarded a finishing time of 21:59.9. Ames' final time was only .10 of a second from Johnson. She came home in 21:16.0.     

Concordia won't have to wait as long for their next meet. CC will head to the land of the Oles when they compete in the St. Olaf Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.

Ashley Nelson Post-Meet Interview