Oct. 12, 2019
Jacksonville, IL. --Â It was a chilly morning for the Principia College Women's and Men's Cross-Country teams as they traveled to Jacksonville, IL for the Illinois College XC Invitational. The lower temperature and mostly flat, golf-course conditions provided the perfect opportunity for the runners to try picking up their speed. Most of the athletes ran season bests by at least one minute, and several ran personal records (PR).
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Women's Highlights
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The women's team ran first placing 4
th out of 6 schools. Sophomore
Emme Schaefer led the team with a time of 24:24. She placed 7
th behind only Truman State University women (D-II) meaning she was the first D-III finisher. She was followed by junior
Afton Leslie, who set a new PR by 1 second at 25:24, and freshman
Lindsey Huffman. Senior
Ava Lesko ran nearly four minutes faster than her most recent race with a time of 27:59. Freshman
Amy Mayo and sophomore
Katie Wood finished soon after. Â Senior
Natalie Storm ran her first 6k ever with a time of 30:59. Like Ava, sophomore
Cassidy Proctor ran about four minutes faster than her previous season best with a time of 31:39. She was followed by senior
Emily Staunton.
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Men's Highlights
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The men's team placed 4
th out of 9 schools. Senior
Abe Ott led the team with a 4
th-place finish and a time of 27:03. Like Emme, he was behind only Truman State University men (D-II), so he was the first D-III finisher. Freshman
Boone Steele went under 30 minutes for the first time with a 29:35 and
Stevie Keyes finished not too far behind in 30:01, followed by senior
Sammy Keyes who shaved 49 seconds off his PR and finished in 31:59. Sophomore
Chris Mwaura was right behind Sammy and ran nearly three minutes faster than his previous race with a time of 32:01. He was followed by senior
Skylyr Cieply and junior Chuy De La Cruz. Junior
Jordan Bond finished strong running nearly three minutes faster than his season best with a time of 35:30.
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Up Next
On the way back to Elsah, IL the team stopped at Eckert's Grafton Farm to pick apples for the delicious pies that they will be making for next week's race: the Principia College Cowbell Classic, held on Saturday October 19
th at 10:30 AM.
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