Cross country has ‘great weekend of racing’ in championships

Stephanie Sanders led the Flames Saturday in the Horizon League championships, placing third in the 6K race. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the Horizon League Championships Saturday at the Cedarville University Elvin R. King Cross Country Course in Ohio. The women took home second place overall, while the men earned third.

“We had a great weekend of racing and I could not have been more proud of the team performances,” cross country head coach Jim Knoedel said.

Stephanie Sanders led the women’s team, placing third overall to earn a spot on the All-League First Team. The senior completed the 6K course with a time of 21:48.90.

Senior Lauren Lindholm crossed the finish line next in 11th at the 22:43.18 mark and was named to the All-League Second Team. Senior Emma Preston completed the race with a time of 23:15.22 in 27th, followed closely by junior Brittany Schwarz(23:15.89) in 28th.

“Preston and Schwarz had great kicks at the end and were a big reason why the women captured second,” Knoedel said. “Sanders showed her tenacity on the last straight to finish third overall. She wasn’t even in the top 15 last year and to think she ran the whole way with the leaders this year is amazing.”

Junior Kyle Hauser was the top finisher on the men’s side, taking home fifth place with a time of 24:59.18 in the 8K race. Hauser was named to the All-League First Team.

Freshman Nathan Mroz was the next Flames finisher, completing the race at the 25:20.25 mark to take 12th place overall and a spot on the All-League Second Team. Sophomore Brixton Rill finished the race in 16th (25:32.19) followed by sophomore Alex Bashqawi in 17th (25:38.96).