Cougars Compete at Augustana Invitational

The shorthanded ICC Cross Country teams turned in vanilla performances at the Augustana Brissman-Lundeen Cross Country Meet Friday at Credit Island Park in Davenport, Iowa. Everyone turned in a solid, though not spectacular race on a hot, windy evening. The men, missing numbers 5 and 6 runners Maris Mednis and Joe Klumb, finished 23rd in the field of 32 teams. Once again they were led by freshman Billy Miller, who finished 85th in the field of 408. Steady Justin Phillis (pictured) was again the number 2 runner, finishing in 129th place. Scott Perry, Carl Pflederer, and Hank Stickelmaier rounded out the top 5.

Sophomore Kelsey Holsapple was again the top female runner, finishing 128th of 352 runners. Darce Knapp and Sam Conlee were the only other women to compete. On the plus side, Hannah Griffin is again practicing after being ill for 10 days and Marissa Menke is doing likewise, after being out for a month with a leg injury. Liz Koch of Morton has also joined the team and improving every day. So, if all things go according to plan, the women should be able to compete as a team in two weeks at the Benedictine Invitational.

The Cougars, who have a week off from competition, will next compete on Friday, October 5 at the Benedictine University Eagle Cross Country Inviational in Lisle, IL. The women toe the line at 3:30 pm with the men following at 4:15. The ICC women are defending champs of the Junior College division of this meet.

Finally the Bride, not a Bridesmaid

Arguably the most consistent women runner over the last two years, but never number one, Kelsey Holsapple finally achieved that feat. She finished 112th out of 207 at the Illinois Intercollegiate meet held at the ISU golf course last Friday, running a fine time of 20:59. She was followed by Darce Knapp in 123rd place, who equalled her time from the previous week with a 21:14.

In the men's race, 5 of the 8 ICC runners got PR's, led by the 64th place finish by Billy Miller. His time of 26:28, was the 5th best ever by an ICC runner. Justin Phillis, running close to his PR with a 27:47, was the second ICC runner in 119th place. Behind him, Scott Perry, Carl Pflederer, and Maris Mednis all scored personal bests. The team finished 9th in the college field of 18. They were 3rd of 6 Junior College teams.

Friday, September 21: Augustana Invitational held at Credit Island, Davenport, IA.

Fabulous Frosh Run Fast at Bradley Open

The ICC Cross Country teams were led by freshmen Billy Miller and Darce Knapp Friday at the Bradley Open run on the familiar grounds of Detweiller Park. In only his first 8000 meter race, Billy's time of 27:03 cracked the all-time top ten times for men, the first time that an ICC runner has done that in his first race. Billy finished in 24th place among college runners. He was followed by a pack of three improving sophomore runners - Justin Phillis, in 60th place, Scott Perry in 66th, and Carl Pflederer in 73rd. Justin and Scott cracked the 29 minute barrier with Carl just over it. Rounding out the scorers for the 8th place (and top JC team) was Joe Klumb in 95th place. Right behind him was the rapidly improving Maris Mednis in 96th.

Darce led the women, who once again were running without a full team. Her time of 21:14 placed her in the 35th position. She was pushed most of the race by sophomore Kelsey Holsapple, who finished in 38th place. Sam Conlee, in 49th place, and Hannah Griffin, hampered by the flu, also finished in the top half of the field. Darce was the top junior college finisher in the race.

Next meet: Friday, September 14. Illinois Intercollegiates, ISU Golf Course. Women's Championship race, 5:00pm, Men's championship race, 5:35pm.

Directions: I-74 to I-55 north. Take Bus 51 exit South (Main St.) to Gregory Street (stop light). Turn right (West). The course is on Gregory St. at Adelaide, just past the Normal Fire Dept.

Cougars Open Season at Elmhurst Earlybird meet

Eight men and four women opened the season at the Elmhurst Earlybird Invitational on Friday, August 31. Despite a lack of a warmup, due to the I-55 parking lot, the women performed admirably with Hannah Griffin leading the way with a 16:32.4 and 37th place finish on the 4km course. She was followed by freshman Darce Knapp in 52nd place, Kelsey Holsapple in 83rd and Sam Conlee in 88th place in the field of 172 finishers.

The men were led by the 40th place finish of freshman Billy Miller, with a time of 20:44.9 for the 6km race. A nice pack of sophomores followed, including Justin Phillis in 61st place, Scott Perry in 63rd, and Carl Pflederer in 66th. Joe Klumb was a 118th place finisher. Completing the Cougar squad were freshmen Ansel Wachter in 133rd place, Maris Mednis in 134th, and Nick Reed in 155th. One hundred seventy three runners completed the race.

The ICC coaches were pleased with the early season results, especially that of the five freshmen. They have come a long way in the past month and show great promise for the future.

Next Meet: Bradley Open, Friday, September 7 (Men 8km, 5:00, Women 5km, 5:45)