Bluejay harriers open season
Women finish sixth, men seventh
The 2003 cross country season got off to a good start for the Bluejays Saturday as it opened in Baldwin at the Baker University Maple Leaf Invitational.
Coach Karol Hunt was pleased with the Bluejays' performances on the day and the good start the season got off to.
The women finished sixth out of 12 competing schools, and the men took seventh place out of 11.
"This was a good first outing for us," said Hunt. "The five freshman (Kendra Raber, Pete Richert, Jeff Anenson, Kyle and Kevin Larson) ran their first college races and that is always a learning experience for both the runners and me.
"An early meet like this introduces them to the competitive level of college racing. I was pleased with our effort. It's really tough to post good times this early in the season."
The Lady Bluejays finished with a score of 158, 102 in back of winner Mid-America Nazarene.
One year ago, Hunt didn't have enough competitors for the men to earn a team score. But with the addition of Pete Richert, Anenson and the Larsons, pending injuries, that won't be a problem this year.
Although the season is young, Hunt has been pleased with the way the men are competing. The men rolled up 180 points.
Pete Richert opened what could be a promising career with a strong finish, taking 36th out of 102 finishers in 17:51.
"I really like the competitiveness of the men's team and how they are working together as a team," Hunt said. "Having five finishers between 45th and 56th bears that out."
The Invitational marked a new beginning for the rejuvenated pair of Ryan Sperling and Matt Lynam.
Running stronger than a year ago, Sperling and Lynam finished 49th and 57th, respectively.
Fresh off a sensational sophomore season, Angie Jost picked up right where she left off in 2002.
The top finisher for the Lady Bluejays, Jost earned a medal with a seventh-place time of 12:43 out of 85 runners.
Raber finished with the second-best time for the women in 13:49.
Women's results
7. Jost, 12:43. 31. Raber, 13:49. 58. Sarah Frick, 15:15. 60. Esther Richert, 15:31. 66. Erin Voth, 15:59. 69. Jennie Throne, 16:17.
Men's results
36. P. Richert, 17:51. 45. Jeff Anenson, 18:11. 49. Sperling, 18:24. 53. Kyle Larson, 18:36. 56. Kevin Larson, 18:39. 57. Lynam, 18:43. 78. Will Higerd, 20:16.
