MASON, Ohio — La Verne cross country runner Bryan Hayes finished 182^nd among a field of 280 competitors in the men's race and Andrea Ramirez came in 156^th in the women's competition at the 2014 NCAA Cross Country Championships, hosted by Wilimington, on Saturday.

Making his third national championship appearance in as many years, Hayes had to overcome an inauspicious start and could not quite improve upon his program-best 67^th place finish from last season. The junior fell to the ground about 300 meters into the race and had to work his way back from last place. He finished the cross line in 25 minutes, 47.3 seconds.

"Bryan's finish wasn't indicative of his ability," said La Verne head coach Bryan George. "He took a spill less than a quarter mile in and with the conditions being so muddy, it made it difficult for him to move up after that. Even though his overall finish is disappointig he passed almost 100 people over the remainder of the race—besides the very first mile, he had a good outing.

"I know he's hungry for that All-America spot next year. I'm looking forward to his senior season."

Ramirez closes the book on her cross country career after a breakout season. The senior emerged as one of the best runners in the West region and earned a bid to the national championship for the first and final time. She finished the six-kilometer race in 23:37.7.

"It is easy to be intimidated in your first trip to the national meet, but I was proud of how Andrea handled the pressure," George said. "She put herself in a position to be in the top 100, and even though that didn't work out, she still beat a few that were in front of her at the West Regional.

"Competing at that level was a fitting way for her to end a great season."

Amy Regan (20:51.9) of the Stevens Institute claimed the women's individual championship while Johns Hopkins was crowned the women's team champion.

North Central won the men's team championship and Grant Wintheiser of St. Olaf earned the individual championship with a time of 23:44.9.