SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Today, four runners raced up in Oshkosh, WI while the majority of Principia College's cross-country team traveled to Springfield, Illinois. Springfield was sunny and cold, a perfect day for cross-country, though the rain from the night before made the course slick in areas.
Even though the course started and ended in a grassy park, most of the race was run through woods on a single track, making it hard for runners to pass, so Principia had to position themselves well before entering the woods.
The women started off the meet by running a 5K. They looked strong coming through the first mile, all passing the mark within a minute of each other. Soon after, they entered the woods, watching their footing to avoid slippery areas.
Kyla Pelletier and
Shontee Pant were the first of Principia's team to make it out of the woods and start the outer loop that would lead them to the finish.
Aubrey McMullin was next to round the trees and into the grass followed by
Madison Flannery and Gabriella Schwenker. The women all finished the loop out strongly with
Kyla Pelletier coming in first for the team and seventh place overall.
Shontee Pant was close behind her.
Aubrey McMullin had a great finish, even though she had a tough race, and came in third for the team. Madison was next in line for Principia and Gabriella Schwenker finished out Principia's score coming in as the team's fifth runner.
The men started their race, an 8K, at 10:45AM. They headed into the same first loop as the women and came through the one mile within one minute of each other as well. The runners raced into the woods and when they came back out three of Principia's runners had moved closer to the front pack of the race. Kynan and
Shane Witters Hicks led Principia's team around the grass loop with
Nate Richards not far behind.
Garrett Fielding and
Gavin Goodsell were next for Principia, keeping each other in sight.
Gabe Korinek, running his first race of the season, was running sixth for Principia followed by
Andy Crump. Then men then headed for another lap through the woods before entering the final loop to the finish. On the final stretch Kynan and
Shane Witters Hicks were running side-by-side. Shane pulled away slightly coming in first for Prin and third overall. Kynan came in second for the team and fourth overall. Nate did not finish far behind, coming in sixth. Gavin came in fourth for Principia with a very strong kick followed by
Garrett Fielding, who ran a tough race. Gabe had a great finish, placing sixth for the team, and Andy ran hard through the line coming in as Prin's seventh runner. The men came in second overall!
The four runners up in Oshkosh also had a very successful day. Although rain was predicted, it ended up being a beautiful day.
Sarah Litwiller and
Emily Osborne both had great races. It was crowded a field of 509 runners but they placed well, Sarah coming in 39
th and Emily coming in 162
nd. Litwiller finished in 22:45 and
Emily Osborne got a personal record for the season coming in 23:59.
Wylie Mangelsdorf and
Derrick Fleming also had a crowded race with 566 runners competing. Though the start was a little rough, the race spread out slightly by mile one. Wylie and Derrick both had strong races finishing in 12
th and 139
th respectively. Wylie finished in 24:57 and Derrick finished in 26:24. Overall they all had a really great day!
Next weekend Principia's team does not have a race but the following weekend is the conference meet!
