Anna Hartig
Staff Writer
The College of Wooster’s Cross Country team competed in Westerville, Oh. at the Otterbein Invitational last Saturday.
The women’s team raced a 6,000-meter course that is known to be tough at Otterbein, but in spite of this challenge, they placed seventh in the event. The men’s team raced an 8,000-meter course, and while Mother Nature brought a rise in temperature, the team was able to earn third place in the competition.
Captain Mackenzie Kellar ’18 was pleased with her performance, leading Wooster with a sub-25-minute race and earning herself an award. Fellow Fighting Scots Zoe Covey ’21, Ashley Ferguson ’18, Emma Busch ’21 and Cobi Warstler ’20 finished as the top five competitors along with Kellar for Wooster.
Reaghan Beaver ’21 got the opportunity to run in her first official large-scale meet for the Fighting Scots.
“That was the first time I had ever raced in a 6k so it was difficult. However, it is definitely something I can improve upon,” said Beaver.
The Wooster Invitational, along with last weekend’s meet, allows for the team to get a head start on the long and challenging season ahead. The team uses every opportunity it can get to improve their performances throughout their competitions.
“I really enjoy running for Wooster because I am surrounded by such a kind-hearted, determined [and] supportive group of people who all share the love of running,” commented Kellar.
The captain also explained how the team has become a tight-knit group over the past couple of years.
“I look forward to growing as an individual and working harder as a team to run together and achieve our potential,” Kellar remarked.
The men’s team finished just one point behind Ohio Wesleyan University to earn third place out of the eight teams present.
David Westcott ’19 finished in the top 10 individuals running the men’s 8K course. He, along with his teammates Brian Lief ’19 and Jackson Feinknopf ’19, capped their races off in just under 29 minutes to finish in the top 25 for the men.
Not far behind, Miki Rae ’20 crossed the finish line at 29:14.3, running at a six-minute mile pace. Captain Geoffery Carney Kinsley ’18 followed just seconds behind. These top performances helped contribute to the success of this weekend’s event.
“This was our first 8,000-meter competition of the season, and the individual performances and team results were exciting. This race will continue to drive us as we progress through the season,” said Brady Bunnell ’18.
The Fighting Scots are taking every opportunity they can to help them prepare for the All-Ohio Championships coming soon.
“Every race is different, but I think we are all looking forward to competing hard at our next competition,” said Kellar.
Both the women’s and men’s cross country teams will be back in action two weeks from now to compete in the All-Ohio championships. The Fighting Scots will take a bye week to prepare for this important meet in Cedarville, Ohio on Friday, Sept. 29.