WOMEN'S RESULTS |
MEN'S RESULTS SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Capital men's and women's cross country teams started the season off on the right foot, as both squads earned second place finishes at the Wittenberg Invitational.
"Getting second place is something to celebrate," head coach Rachel Barends said. "Considering the fact that many of the runners were competing in their first collegiate race, it was a very good day."
One harrier who already has a year of running on Capital's varsity squad is Alex Moore (Hilliard, OH/Hilliard Davidson HS). The sophomore led the purple and white with his 11th place finish and time of 29:09.
"It was a good first race for Alex. He has big goals set for himself this season, and I think he is on his way to achieving them," Barends said.
Freshmen Bret Nehrenz (Seville,OH/Cloverleaf HS) turned in a strong first meet with his 14th place and time of 29:29. Fellow freshmen Ben Herbert (Chagrin Falls, OH/Kenston HS) and Josh Beaudoin (Pemberville, OH/Eastwood HS) ran as a duo and finished 22nd (31:17) and 23rd overall (31:18), respectively.
Also running in his first meet was sophomore Brian Huff (Canton, OH/Glen Oak HS), who turned in a solid performance by running a 32:45, good for 31st place overall. Rounding out the top five was freshmen Zach Heyne (New Castle, IND/Blue River Valley HS), who finished 41st by running a 34:41. Sophomore Jacob Frye (Groveport, OH/Groveport Madison HS) stayed close to his teammate by finishing 42nd with his time of 35:07.
Freshmen Emma McCarren (Mansfield, OH/Crestview HS) and Becca Muntean (Boardman, OH/Boardman HS) led the Crusader women by posting Top 10 finishes. McCarren finished 9th with her time of 21:17, and Muntean's time of 21:22 was good for 10th place.
"Emma started out the meet in first place, and then settled into her pace and ran very well," Barends said. "Becca stayed close by and the two really worked as a team."
Freshmen Bobbi Wilson (Waynesville, OH/Waynesville HS) and sophomore Sarah Trick (Tipp City/OH, Tippecanoe HS) both finished in the top 20 by placing 19 (22:12) and 20th (22:15), respectively. Finishing 21st and rounding out the top-five for Capital was sophomore Hanna Childs (Columbus, OH/Grandview Heights HS), whose time of 22:22 set her cross county personal best for the 5-kilometer race.
Finishing 23rd with a time of 22:37 was freshmen Casey Simmons (Beavercreek, OH/Beavercreek HS), while classmate Emily Zapp (Gahanna, OH/Gahanna Lincoln HS) ran a 23:45 to finish 32nd overall.
Finishing 39th overall with her time of 24:34 was junior Christina Walker (Cincinnati OH/Withrow HS), while freshmen Jessica Cooper (Springfield, OH/Springfield Catholic Central HS) finished her first college race by finishing 58th with her time of 28:23.
After starting off the 2008 campaign in hot weather at the hilly Marietta Invitational course, the course and the weather at Wittenberg was a good environment for a young 2009 team that consists of 16 freshmen or sophomores.
"It's a course where it doesn't look that tough, but once you ran it you realize that there were more rolling hills than you initially think. It's a good meet for your first race, because it's not necessary a fast or a slow meet," Barends said. "The runners that have never run a 5-mile race before now have a better understanding of what it's like. As coaches, we can set times for our workout paces accordingly."
The Crusaders will next race at the Friendship Invitational in Cedarville next Saturday.