HELENA, Mont. – Carroll College cross country runner Lyle Pocha was named the NAIA National Cross Country Runner of the Week Wednesday after his strong performance at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational in Sunnyvale, Calif., Saturday.
 
The honor is the first national runner of the week honor in Carroll history for both the men's and women's program.
 
"We didn't really expect is but it is awesome," head coach David Morris said. "He ran really great and I think it is a great for the team and our program."
 
Pocha's 8k time of  24:13.7 is the fastest in Carroll history topping Sancho Ridesatthedoor's previous record of 24:54 from the 2013 Frontier Conference Championship by more than 40 seconds.
 
"He really get's up for bigger meets," Morris said. "He performed really well and it is great to have him running well and when David (Thor) get's to 100 percent and if the rest of the team improves over the next few weeks it puts us into a really great spot for nationals."
 
Despite the strong showing at the Bronco Invite the Saints fell one spot in the NAIA Poll from No. 4 to No. 5.
 
The Carroll women fell from No. 5 to No. 6 but were running without No. 2 runner Samantha Mundel.
 
The Saints run their final regular season meet next Friday in Great Falls, two weeks ahead of the Frontier Conference Championship, which will also be held in the Electric City.