CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
Cross Country Teams Charge to First Place Finishes at MIAA Jamboree
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
NOTRE DAME, IN -- The nationally-ranked Calvin men's and women's cross country teams came up with impressive performances at the MIAA jamboree hosted by Saint Mary's Friday afternoon as both teams took first place.
In the men's race, second-ranked Calvin swept the top 10 spots including 11 of the top 13 to post a perfect score of 15 points.
On the women's side, number-one ranked Calvin scored a first place score of 20 points, grabbing nine of the top 10 spots.
The MIAA jamboree is worth one-third of the final league title. The upcoming MIAA Championships - scheduled for November 1 - makes up the remaining portion of the final league crown.
In the men's race, just 32 seconds seperated Calvin's first and fifth runner and just 42 seconds seperated Calvin's first and 10th runner.
The Calvin men were led by senior Jed Christiansen (Greenville, PA/Greenville HS) with a first place time on the 8K course of 26:08. He was followed by senior Nate DeHaan (Byron Center/South Christian HS) in second (26:10), senior Erik VanKampen (Elmhurst, IL/Timothy Christian HS) in third (26:14), sophomore Jake Christiansen (New Ipswich, NH/New Ipswich HS) in fourth (26:36); senior Dan VandenAkker (Grand Rapids/South Christian HS) in fifth (26:44); freshman Nick Kramer (Dyer, IN/Illiana Christian HS) in sixth (26:45); senior David Jaeger (Winfield, IL/St. Francis HS) in seventh (26:46); senior Andrew Stutzman (Kutztown, PA) in eighth (26:47); junior George Visser (Winfield, IL/West Chicago HS) in ninth (26:55) and junior Kyle Mast (Zeeland/Holland Christian HS) in 10th (26:55).
Als placing 13th for Calvin was junior Ben VanWyk (Elk Rapids/Elk Rapids HS) with a time of 27:09.
"We had some gaps last week in our own race (Knight Invitational)," said Calvin head cross country coach Brian Diemer. "This week we eliminated those gaps and made a powerful push up-and-down our lineup. When our guys run with a purpose like we did today, it makes our entire team that much better."
In the women's race, Calvin missed the top individual spot as Kalamazoo's Allison Iott won wiht a time of 18:35 on the 5K course but then dominated from there on out.
Calvin's top finisher was junior Jessica Koster (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) who was second in 18:43. She was followed by senior Lauren Bergstrom (Rochester, MN/Century HS) in third (18:48), senior Calah Schlabach (St. Michaels, AZ/St. Michaels HS) in fourth (18:49), senior Jesi Hale (Rehoboth, NM/Gallup HS) in fifth (19:07); senior Elizabeth Smit in sixth (19:19); sophomore Alison Tuuk (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) in seventh (19:28); senior Kelly Edwards (Grand Blanc/Grand Blanc HS) in eighth (19:30); junior Mary Tolsma (Hawthorne, NJ/Eastern Christian HS) in ninth (19:31) and junior Nicole Farr (Wheaton, IL/Wheaton Warrenville South HS) in 10th (19:35).
"For our top five, today's race was a learning experience," said Diemer. "Our top pack led the lead runner get away early in the race and then it was too late to reel her in at the end. From a tactical standpoint, we learned a few things that will help us later in the year. I was very pleased with our second pack today however. They made a big jump from last week and tightened up our entire lineup. I'm very encouraged by this team and I think it will continue to improve as the year goes along."
Both Calvin teams return to action next Friday, competing at the Notre Dame Invitational.
MIAA MEN'S JAMBOREE TEAM RESULTS
Calvin 15
Hope 60
Adrian 102
Albion 114
Trine 136
Alma 138
Kalamazoo 219
Olivet 247
MIAA WOMEN'S JAMBOREE TEAM RESULTS
Calvin 20
Hope 64
Kalamazoo 114
Adrian 117
Saint Mary's 126
Albion 157
Alma 166
Trine 245
Olivet 275
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Fri Sep 26 23:38:33 2008
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