LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior Fernando Benitez finished his cross country career on a high note, becoming Hamline's 12^th-ever All-American with his 31^st-place finish at the NCAA Championships on Saturday morning.
 
Benitez ran the 8k course in 24:53.2, his fastest time as a Piper and the first time he has ran an 8k in under 25 minutes. The White Bear Lake native is the program's first All-American since 2011, when Jack Deichert placed 20^th at the championship meet. Hamline has now compiled 15 All-American awards throughout the history of its program, earning its first back in 1973 with a 10^th place finish from David Teague.
 
Junior Frank Gustafson also competed in the NCAA Championships, finishing the course in 25:15.6 to place 165^th, finishing ahead of over 100 of the country's top runners. Gustafson is one of 10 Hamline runners that are expected to be back next year's cross country season.