The Hamline University men’s cross country team is having an outstanding season, sweeping the end of season awards in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and moving on to bigger competition.

Junior Devin Monson placed second at the Central Region championships on November 13, automatically earning him the right to compete at the NCAA Division III championships on November 20 in Waverly, Iowa. Four other Pipers earned all-region honors and the team placed third overall. The team also won an at-large bid to compete at the national meet next weekend. 

In October, the Pipers won their second straight MIAC title with three runners placing in the top five and seven in the top 23. Monson, who placed first in the conference, was named the MIAC Most Valuable Athlete by the conference. Hamline has won six cross country conference titles since 1975, but never in consecutive years.

“This team made Hamline cross country history by winning back-to-back titles,” Hamline’s director of track and field operations and head men's cross country coach Paul Schmaedeke said. “Three previous Hamline teams were favorites after winning a title the prior year and could not accomplish the repeat. This team is a very competitive and tenacious group that finds a way to get things done.”

Schmaedeke earned his own back-to-back honor when the conference named him coach of the year for men’s cross country for the second straight year. Schmaedeke has earned similar honors for four straight seasons for coaching Hamline’s indoor and outdoor track teams.

“This string of honors for Paul and our teams is a great reflection of the consistency of excellence that we strive for at Hamline,” said Hamline University athletic director Bob Beeman. “It is exciting to see the hard work and dedication these student-athletes put in year-round pay off for Paul, Devin and the entire program.”

To stay up to date on how the cross country team does and to keep up with Hamline’s other sports teams, check the Pipers' Athletics webpage often! You can also see game highlights and interviews on the Hamline Facebook page and videos on the Hamline Pipers’ YouTube channel.