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Bloomsburg's Kramer Finishes in Top Half of Field at NCAA Championships

ASHLAND, OH —Bloomsburg University cross country runner Danielle Kramer (Coal Twp/Shamokin) finished in 70th place at the NCAA Division II national cross country championships at Ashland University in Ohio. Kramer, a freshman, finished the 6,000-meter course in a time of 23:36.

Running in four inches of snow and slush, Kramer got off to a slow start in the field of 184 runners and slowly battled her way back into the middle of the pack. According to Bloomsburg head coach Karen Brandt, nothing could have prepared Kramer for what she faced during the race.

“The weather conditions were horrible,” said Brandt. “It had snowed much of Friday and the race officials did a good job clearing the course, but there were still spots with a lots of snow and slush. When you look at the conditions, she did a very good job out there.”

In addition to the weather, Kramer had to battle the other runners for space.

“The national championships are very physical and there was lots of pushing and shoving go on,” Brandt said. “Danielle had to battle for every inch of space on the course.”

Kramer, who also made the NCAA Division II championships in track in the spring of 2002, vows to be back.

“I was disappointed about my place,” said Kramer. “But, just being here was a good learning experience for me. Now I know what it takes to compete at this level.”

“We (BU coaches Karen and Jim Brandt) are very proud of Danielle and what she accomplished,” said Karen Brandt. “She had a great year and I will be back here (NCAAs) in the future.”

The winner of the race was Amber Klein of Adams State, who finished in 20:54, while Western State of Colorado won the team title.