September 16, 2016 

Cross Country Teams Run Away with Titles

Tanner Edge


The men’s and women’s cross country teams kicked off their season on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Hokum Karem, an annual meet hosted by Manchester University. The men’s team had two individual placements, as seniors Thomas Dean and Alex Gudeman came in at the top two positions. As a team the men placed second overall, defeating the defending champions, Trine. The women’s team was led by first years Emily Ewen and Hannah Wappes, who were the runner-ups while the MU women took the team title.
  
At the Hanover Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 10, the men took another second-place spot. Gudeman had an additional strong outing and claimed the individual championship. Senior Connor Bresnahan finished in the top five, followed by fellow teammate Dean. This now gives the cross country men two second-place overall finishes in their first two meets, and the momentum to keep running forward in full stride throughout the rest of the season.

For their efforts at Hanover, the women’s team won the team title for the second time this season, an impressive accomplishment for the lady Spartans. Senior Mariah Jordan ran away with fellow senior/teammate Tiffany Harber, claiming the one- and two-spots overall. Harber was also the 2015¬–16 Manchester University Female athlete of the year and conference champion. Taking up the fourth position was up and coming first year Ewen. Other runners who finished in the top 10 are junior Shelby Harrell and Wappes.
 
Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams are beginning preparation for their next meet today, Sept. 16. They will take foot at the Indiana Intercollegiate Championships in Bloomington, IN on the IU Championship Course at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Coach Geoff Lambert is starting his second year as Manchester University’s head cross country coach for both the men’s and women’s teams. Helping him are coaches Brian Cashdollar, Brad Yoder and Kyle Allison. 

To find more information about the Manchester University men’s and women’s cross country teams visit the athletics website, www.muspartans.com/sports/wxc/2016-17/schedule.