by David Hill
NEW WASHINGTON, OH - A week before the Great Lakes Regional meet the Bluffton College cross country teams were finding competition where they could. The journey through the season had brought them to New Washington, OH to compete in a road race for a last tune-up before the big meet. A steady, warm wind from the South was blowing from 15-20 mph as the temperature reaches 62 degrees.
As the race started, confusion set in less than 400m into the race. As the lead pack was running, they missed an unmarked left turn in the course that added a good 15-20 seconds on their times. That mistake did not affect the Bluffton College women's team who made the right turn and kept on track. As the race wound through the streets of New Washington, Lauren Borga was running a steady, comfortable pace which allowed her energy for the wall of wind that the race encountered about halfway through. With that extra energy, Lauren surged to the front of the women's race finishing first in her fastest time ever of 19:53. Not far behind was Rachael Szydlowski who finished 2nd in the women's race with a time of 20:15. Next in for the Beavers was MaryAnna Morgan who completed a PR of 20:36, Carrie Hudecek with a 20:41, and Jennifer Creamer with a 20:47. "This is the first time in the history of the program that the team has had five women under 21 minutes, what a great confidence builder!," said Coach Derek Stanley. Also running in the race was Stephanie Welch with her best effort of the year coming in with a 21:46, Jennifer Niedermier in 22:37, Rachel Noirot in 24:09, and Alicia Stanko in 24:19.
On the men's side, the day was not so good. The wrong turn affected just about all of the Beaver men. "The men just looked a little lackluster out there today. I'm not sure if it was the competition or training but things have to get better by next weekend or we'll be crushed!," said Coach Stanley of the men's performances. The top Beaver finishing the race was Steve Borga who took 7th overall in a time of 17:34. Next was Roy Kaplan with a 18:07, Andy Schiefer with a 18:25, Josh Tolley with a 18:51, and Andrew Smith with a 18:56. Also running was Coach Stanley who finished 6th overall in a time of 17:25.
The Beavers will have a light week of training to finish up the season preparing for the Regional meet. The Regional is hosted by Ohio Northern University and will be held at
Hawthorne Hills Golf Course in Lima, OH. The men race at 11:00am and the women run at 12:00pm.