Beavers Finish Season at Regionals
Full results can be found on the Hanover College Athletic web page at:http://www.hanover.edu/sports/
Hanover, IN – After a relaxed week of training the Bluffton College Cross Country teams finished their season at the NCAA Division III Regional meet, Saturday, November 15, 2003. The region is only Division III schools in the Great Lakes area consisting of about 40 schools. Hanover is also the host of the Division III National meet next weekend.
After the rain moved out overnight, it left the course soggy and soft. Time was a reduced emphasis for the runners because of the condition of the course, but the men were not about to let the weather spoil their training.
Freshman Dave Espinoza led for the Beaver runners. Espinoza used a strong first mile to put himself in a good position. He hung on to finish 111th in a time of 28:23. Running second for the men was Patrick Cooley who ran a strong race to finish 132nd in a 28:48 for the 8,000m race. Third for the Beaver men was Chris Wojciechowski with a good effort finishing 183rd in 30:05. Finally, Johnny Ichrist ran his best race of the season with a 188th place finishing in a 30:17. The Beaver men did not have a team score due to injuries suffered earlier in the week.
The women ran their typical race, packed together. Leader of the pack this week was Carrie Hudecek again. Hudecek ran well despite cramps in her back to finish 110th in a 25:34 for the 6,000m course. Next in for the Beavers were Lauren Borga (140th/ 26:06), Jennifer Creamer (143rd/26:08), and Lauren Bailey (144th/26:11). Finishing up the scoring for Bluffton was senior Rachel Noirot in her final collegiate cross country race running a 28:08, good for 204th place. Also running was Laurie Sanford finishing in 218th place with a 29:02.
“It was very disappointing not being able to score a team for the men considering the performances we had out there today,” commented Coach Stanley, “the men that did run ran well.” “On the women’s side, we’re still in need of a front runner to help us contend with the other regional schools,” added Coach Stanley.
The cross country season is concluded and the teams will relax before focusing their efforts toward the track and field season as the Beavers chase their championship dreams.
