MC Cross Country Team Works Out Against Ohio University

Sept. 04, 2004
ATHENS, OH – The Marietta Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams began their season untraditionally this year with a competitive practice against Ohio University.  “I think this is a great way to start out the season because I have not had the kids on campus that long to cover everything needed for a meet,” head coach Derek Stanley stated. 

The format of the competitive practice was two-person relays with the men covering a total of 8 miles and the women a total of 6 miles.  The course was laid out the distance of one mile.  The runner (of the team of 2) would run a mile and when finished the second runner would take off to run a mile.  This process was repeated until the team completed the total distance. 

The men competed first at 10:00 a.m. and the temperature had already risen close to 80 degrees.  The two-man team of Clark Spears and Coach Stanley finished first for the Pioneers covering the 8 miles in 43:24 (average of 5:25 per mile) good for 6th place overall.  Next in was the team of John Hull/Andrew Wichie (44:45) in 7th, Alex Lugosch/Travis Shipe followed (46:40) in 8th.  Finishing up for the men was Harrison Potter/Kyle Hummel (47:34) for 9th and Lyle Sulfridge/Ben Williams (47:55) for 10th.

The women followed the men at 11:00 a.m. with the sun amplifying the temperature. Brea Gardner and Lydia Christopher took top honors for the Marietta women finishing in 6th place with an overall time of 42:28 (average of 7:05 per mile).  The only other team competing for the Pioneer women was Valerie Niedermier/Lyndley Dmitsak (43:40) who finished in 7th place.