KU’s Menefee ends career at NCAAs

? Kansas University senior Mark Menefee finished 111th out of 250 runners Monday in the NCAA cross country championships at Indiana State University.

The men’s individual title was won by three-time Big 12 Champion Jorge Torres of the University of Colorado in 29:04.7. Stanford claimed the team title.

Brigham Young claimed the 2002 women’s title. North Carolina’s Shalane Flanagan won the women’s title in 19:36.0.

Menefee placed in the top half of the finishers with a 10k time of 31:12.5 to complete his cross country career at KU.

“I’m really glad I made it (qualified for nationals),” Menefee said. “I’m not so pleased with how I finished, but I am proud of my effort. I ran as hard as a could. It’s just been a long season and I felt really tired during the race. I’m looking forward to the track season.”

Former Lawrence High runner Chris Williams of Duke placed 59th in 30:48.5.

Williams, a 2000 LHS graduate, placed sixth at last week’s regionals, but was 33 seconds slower this week. The junior was hampered by a nagging hip injury.