Cross country places first in Salina, hosts Mid-States Classic
Monica Springer
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Sports
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"It's a huge meet," said Jim Helmer, head men's and women's cross country coach. "It's turned into one of the biggest and the best, primarily in the NAIA in this part of the country."
Last year, the women's team finished 14 out of 22 teams and the men's team was 19 out of 23 teams.
"We love this course," said Ericka Franklin, biology sophomore. "Hopefully we'll do well, have everyone healthy, and have people we know there. We've been working really hard in practice, and we've been running competitively."
Brae Johnson, biology and psychology senior, agreed with Franklin. "My favorite races are always on our home course and track. You work so hard to be a quality team and with that hard work comes a strong sense of pride when racing at home. This is the best part of the season approaching."
The men's and women's team finished first at the Kansas Wesleyan Invitational in Salina Oct. 7.
"We were pleased to get a double win," said Helmer. "That doesn't happen very often. It doesn't get much better than that."
The men took first with 39 points, Cloud County Community College placed second with 61 points, Allen County Community College took third with 64 points, McPherson College placed fourth with 114 points, and Friends University took fifth with 131 points.
Helmer said a combination of heat, wind, and dust were to blame for slow times, but he also said he believes the course is long and not accurate.
"The very best racers in the race ran a lot slower, about two and a half minutes slower. There was more to it than the tough weather conditions," said Helmer.
Despite the slow times and conditions, the men's team took liked the way they competed, but are always looking to improve. "I didn't think we held it together as well as we could have or should have the last mile, but we hung in there well enough to get a pretty easy win," said Helmer.
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