Westmont’s Evan Kramer has been named the Golden State Athletic Conference Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Month for September.
The senior captain from Fresno earned the distinction after finishing first among all NAIA runners (15th overall) at the Mustang Challenge on September 19. Kramer completed the 8,000 meter course in a time of 25:50, which was 16 seconds ahead of his nearest GSAC competitor, Andrew Orona from The Master’s.
“Evan is getting the fruit of three years of labor of learning how to run well and how to put his best effort forward without trying more,” said Westmont head coach Russell Smelley. “He has learned his lessons well and has put them into good practice. So, he is succeeding.”
Kramer’s time at the Mustang Challenge was more than a minute and one-half better than his time last season on the same course.
“Evan struggled last year,” said Smelley. “This year, he is relaxed and able to give his best effort. He sees himself in a different manner. He sees himself as able to compete at that level.”
On September 6, Kramer had a sixth place finish at the Nationball Classic against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Kramer completed that 4.2 mile course in a time of 21:51.
Kramer and the rest of the Westmont Cross Country team will compete again this Saturday at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational.
