WKU’s cross country program had an exciting Saturday as fifth-year Savannah Heckman earned Second Team All-Conference honors and a top-15 finish at the 2021 Conference USA Cross Country Championships at Frank Liske Park in Concord, North Carolina. 

Heckman placed 14th for the women’s side with a time of 21:42.3 in the 6k. Heckman has had a great fall season, earning a C-USA Cross Country Female Athlete of the Week award and a spot on the C-USA All-Academic Team.

“I’m proud of Savannah for making second team all-conference, it was a great accomplishment for herself and the program,” head coach Brooks LeCompte said in a press release. “I thoroughly believe Savannah will be an even more dominant and prevalent face in the C-USA on the track, but we will just have to wait and see.”

As for the team overall, the women’s side placed 10th, finishing with an average time of 23:21.1. It was the best finish the women’s side has achieved since 2016.

The men’s team placed 9th overall with an average finish of 26:46.9 in its 8k. A pair of athletes on each side recorded personal bests during the event.

Up next, WKU will be sending both Heckman and freshman Mary Dye to the NCAA Southeast Regional as they both finished in the top-50 for the women’s side. 

The NCAA Southeast Regional will take place on Friday, Nov. 12 in Louisville. Full results can be found below:

WKU Women’s Results

10th – Team – 23:21.1 avg

14th – Savannah Heckman – 21:42.3

43rd – Mary Dye – 22:54.2 (PR)

61st – Sarah Wilkinson – 23:40.6

68th – Maddy Hurt – 23:55.5

74th – Lucy Rutherford – 24:33.0

79th – Jenna Vaughn – 24:42.4 (PR)

87th – Elyssa Toal – 25:21.0

WKU Men’s Results

9th – Team – 26:46.9

38th – Clint Sherman – 25:53.3

45th – Keegan Barnette – 26:25.4

56th – Will Perrone – 26:58.0

63rd – Collin Pruitt – 27:11.6

67th – Miles Huff – 27:26.0 (PR)

71st – Trey Kraimer – 27:37.6 (PR)

Sports reporter Lynda Eernisse can be reached at [email protected].