CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2006
Calvin Cross Country Teams Take First Place at Calvin Invite
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY ROLLS TO FIRST PLACE AT CALVIN INVITE
(Written by Annalise Venhuizen '08)
GRAND RAPIDS * This is a season of many firsts. Calvin’s first junior varsity cross country team ran along with the varsity this morning in the first Calvin invitational. The Calvin men, ranked number one in the nation, finished first with a total of eighteen points, a finish which, according to Head Coach Brian Diemer, is indicative of a strong team in a good position for another national championship appearance that could add another first to the list.
In finishing on top, Calvin captured five of the top six spots, while Aquinas’ Scott Assenmacher took third to inhibit a perfect Calvin finish. Leading Calvin was senior Tim Finnegan (Los Alamos, NM), who completed the 8k course with a time of 24:58. Sophomore Jed Christiansen (Greenville, PA/Greenville) took second in 25:07. Completing Calvin’s top five spots were senior Harrison Jorritsma (Beamsville, OH/Smithville District Christian) in 25:14, junior Tad Hulst (Zeeland/Zeeland) with a time of 25:18, and junior John Gries (King of Prussia, PA/Upper Merion) in 25:24.
“Finnegan looked just powerful,” said Coach Diemer. “And we had such a beautiful pack; the envy of every coach is to have a pack that runs together through four miles. All five of those guys made it look so effortless.”
Calvin’s six and seventh runners were sophomores Erik Van Kampen (Elmhurst, IL/Timothy Christian) and Nate DeHaan (Byron Center/South Christian) at 25:47 for ninth place and 25:49 for eleventh place, respectively.
About the addition of the junior varsity team, which finished tenth today, Diemer said, “I love this whole new concept and program. It allows for development and training because the guys are racing where they are going to develop the best. It gives a better handle on the athletes individually.”
The first meet of the season, today’s race gave Calvin a sense of where it stands in comparison to the other competing teams, which included some non-conference opponents such as Oshkosh, Ohio Northern, Denison, Elmhurst, Otterbein, and Baldwin Wallace. “Now that we have a race under our belt and know where we are at, we can just concentrate on training,” said Diemer.
Calvin has only a week before the MIAA Jamboree to be hosted by Hope College next Saturday, September 23.
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY STARTS OFF YEAR ON WINNING NOTE AT CALVIN INVITE (Written by Drew DeVries '08)
The women’s team came into the contest ranked 14th nationally in the Division III polls.
The women were led by senior Camille Medema (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian) who finished first in the race which led to Calvin winning the Invitational. With the Knights taking first place, Calvin was able to pull off the upset by beating 11th ranked Oshkosh by a margin of 56 points. Calvin finished with 32 points.
Other top five finishers for the Knights were sophomore Anna Pranger (Centenniel, CO/Cherry Creek) who finished fourth and then eighth, ninth, and tenth places were taken by junior Christina Overbeck (Seatle, WA/Bellevue Christian), and sophomores Lauren Bergstrom (Rochester, MN/Century) and Anne Fennema (Brookfield, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran) respectively. Rounding out Calvin’s top seven were sophomore Calah Schlabach (St. Michael’s, AZ) in 13th place (19:07) and senior Laura Holtrop (Derwood, MD) in 14th place (19:11).
Head coach Brian Diemer could not have been happier about the first meet of the year. “I was very impressed. Our girls ran smart and aggressive with positive attitudes. They looked to each other for encouragement the entire time.”
Diemer was especially impressed by the performance of Medema. “Camille ran wonderfully. She was challenged and was able to push herself. This race stretched her. She finished beautifully and it really showed that she has come of age in cross country.”
Amidst all the excitement of a great start to the season, Diemer does not want it to stop here. “Our goal as a team is to always challenge and always push ourselves. Cross country is about pushing yourself and not having any doubt.”
The Knights will look to challenge themselves next weekend when they travel to Hope College for the MIAA Jamboree scheduled to begin at 11:30.
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Sat Sep 16 12:57:33 2006
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