September 9, 2002
by Derek Stanley

NEW CONCORD, OH - The Bluffton College Cross Country team started off their 2002 season with a tune-up meet at Muskingum College on Saturday, August 31. The race distances were short and the meet was not scored in a laid-back atmosphere.

The men competed first in a 5,000m race, about 2 miles short of what they normally race at. Sophomore Roy Kaplan who finished 19th with a 17:51 led the men. Running second for the team was Senior co-captain Steve Borga who covered the challenging course in 18:02 placing 25th. Also running for the Beavers were Joshua Tolley (Fr.) 18:24 - 28th, Andy Schiefer (So.) 18:28 - 30th, Andrew Smith (Fr.) 18:58 - 37th, Nick Garcia (Fr.) 19:42 - 44th, and Stephen Rabe (Jr.) 22:26 - 57th.

On the women's side, it was Sophomore Jen Niedermier who had the best showing on the team. Niedermier earned a 13th place finish covering the two mile out-and-back course in a 15:10. Freshman runner Lauren Borga held true in her first colligate competition placing 17th with a 15:16. Also running for the women were MaryAnna Morgan (So.) 15:30 - 20th, Jennifer Creamer (Fr.) 15:44 - 24th, Rachael Szydlowski (So.) 15:58 - 27th, Rachel Noirot (Jr.) 16:58 - 38th, and Alicia Stanko (Fr.) 18:45 - 47th.

Other teams attending the meet were Rio Grande, Wilmington, Tiffin, Mt. St. Joesph, Kentucky Christian, and William & Jefferson College. "We ran strong on the hills today. It was pretty hot out there and the combination of the two really got to the runners and their times. I would have to say the men finished about 5th and the women about 4th. Not bad for a tune-up meet." Coach Stanley had to say about the meet.

The Beavers are back in action this coming Friday, September 06 at the Tiffin/Heidelberg Cross Country Invitational. The gun goes off at 6 p.m.

-BEAVERS-