Saturday, September 25, 2010

Cross Country Teams continue to run well




Both the men's and women's cross country teams finished first among junior colleges at the Augustana Brissman/Lundeen Invitational yesterday. Overall, the women were 15th of 24 teams and the men were 18th of 26.


No junior college team was close to the 10th ranked women, who were once again led by sophomore Raven Pettry. Her time of 24:05 makes her the second fastest ICC 6K runner ever with the 4th fastest time. Michelle Carter (pictured) also broke into the top 10 times - her 24:13 now standing in the 7th position. Six of the 7 lady Cougars recorded PR's with Kayla Christ missing hers by just a second.


The 18th ranked men got a challenge from Southwestern Community College, but prevailed as 5 of the 6 runners scored personal bests. Ryan VanFossen again led the charge with a strong 26:39, which now stands as the 10th fastest Cougar time (6th fastest individual.) Brett Curry (pictured), David Lawson, and Nick Leiby were all under 27:46, the first time a Cougar men's team has accomplished this in one race. Freshmen Trenton Hopper and Caleb Ulrich also scored PRs.


The Cougar Harriers now have 2 weeks to prepare for the Benedictine Invitational in Lisle on October 8.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Crazy!


Here's proof that you have to be a little crazy to be a distance runner!
Click on the image to enlarge.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Cougars excel at Illinois Intercollegiates


Freshman Ryan VanFossen and Sophomore Raven Pettry led the way for the ICC Cross Country teams at the Illinois Intercollegiate championship race in Normal yesterday. The men finished 13th of 27 non-university teams (2nd Junior College) while the women finished 10th of 25 non-university teams (1st Junior College.) Ryan's time of 27:06 in 104th place overall moved him into the 7th runner position all-time on the ICC list. Raven improved her best from last year with a 19:56, which was good enough for 90th place in the field of 330 (38th non-university runner.)
Raven was followed on the women's team by Michelle Carter, who ran 20:37, Kayla Christ (20:41), Jordyn Hull (21:26), Deidra Klaus (21:47), Danie Fisher (21:58), and Olivia Renken (23:57.) Following Ryan with a huge improvement in just his second race was freshman Brett Curry. His time of 27:34 now ranks him as the 16th Cougar runner all-time. Nick Leiby ran a solid 28:06, followed by David Lawson (28:25), Trenton Hopper (29:16), Caleb Ulrich (30:36), and Justin Torres (34:07.) The only men's junior college team to beat the Cougars was Danville, who will be the host of our regional on October 29th.
Next up for the teams is the Augustana Brissman-Lundeen Invitational on Friday, September 24 in Rock Island, IL.
Please note that the meet will be held at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, not Credit Island.