Stars shine in first cross country meet

By Julie Newell
Editor in Chief

The LCC men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in their first meet of the season at the 5K Olivet Comet Open in Charlotte on Thursday, Sept. 1.

“I was really pleased,” LCC Head Coach Jim Robinson said.” It was a hot day, so it wasn’t ideal conditions.”

The meet wasn’t scored, but if it had been Robinson said the men would have come in first place and the women would have come in a close second.

“For our first meet, and for a lot of our men and women it was their first collegiate meet, it went very well,” Robinson said.  

On the men’s side, seven LCC runners finished in the top 10. Freshman Liam Elder finished first and registered a time of 15:51. Freshman Michael Dennis finished second in 15:52. Sophomore Shane Siterlet came in fourth at 16:02. Sophomore Jacob Dennis finished fifth at 16:05.

Freshman Gabriel Phillips finished sixth at 16:07. Sophomore Kobe Blanco finished seventh at 16:10. And sophomore Erik Reiber finished ninth and registered a time of 16:23.

On the women’s team, four finished in the top 10. Freshman Barbara DeGood finished fourth overall and registered 19:04.

Robinson said there were several four-year colleges and experienced runners competing at the meet, and to have a freshman come in fourth overall is really good.

 “Barb did good; she ran her lifetime best by a significant amount,” Robinson said.

Freshman Olivia Vanderway finished seventh in 19:36. Sophomore Haley Ellis finished ninth at 19:49. And sophomore Katelyn Slone was 10th at 20:02.

Robinson said he was pleased overall with both teams’ performances.

“I enjoy the practice, but it’s fun to go to a meet and see runners reap the rewards of the hard work they put in,” Robinson said.

The Stars are scheduled to compete at the Spartan Invitational at Aurora College in Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 10.

“I like to have one meet where we travel and stay overnight and then run on Saturday morning because that’s what the experience is going to be at the national meet,” Robinson said of the upcoming meet.