Pioneers cross country team to host Carl Broughton Invitational on Saturday
Men start at 11 a.m. and women begin at 11:45 a.m.

Written with the help of Coach Derek Stanley
Sept. 13, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio – It is once again considered a blessing for Marietta College to host the Carl L. Broughton Cross Country Invitational. Two years prior Hurricane Ivan flooded the city of Marietta and Broughton Nature Preserve preventing the meet from taking place. The meet made its return in 2005 with strong competition and looks to be tougher in 2006.

The Ohio Wesleyan men’s team returns to the meet in 2006 coming off a dominant 19-point performance last year and earning the team championship. Host Marietta looks to improve on their second place finish from ’05 with a bigger and stronger team. Also returning to compete will be Fairmont State (W.Va.) (4th in ’05), Muskingum (5th) and Ohio Valley (W.Va.) (6th). Additions to this year’s field include Alderson-Broaddus (W.Va.) (2nd in 2003) and Wooster, who is running in the meet for the first time.

Ohio Wesleyan senior Matt Kempton is last year’s returning champion, covering the 8,000 meter course in 27:42.8. OWU is also looking for strong performances from sophomore Clay Davis and senior Kevin Goehring. Both looking to improve on their sixth and seventh place finishes last year, respectively. The Marietta duo of junior Harrison Potter and junior John Hull are much improved and should be a factor in the front. Wooster brings in Rudy Gilman, who looks to impact the top 10 and Alderson-Broaddus should have a couple of men pushing the front as well.

Ohio Wesleyan’s women’s team is the story as well, looking to repeat as team champions in 2006. Last year, the Lady Bishops matched the men’s dominance winning with 22 points. Muskingum looks to improve on their third place finish in ’05 but will have their hands full with a much improved Marietta team and the addition of Wooster and Alderson-Broaddus to this year’s competition. Also returning are Ohio Valley (4th in 2005), Bethany (7th) and Fairmont State (8th).

Returning 2005 champion Catie Coleman (OWU) will have to fend off home-grown and Marietta High School product Katie Wieferich, who is coming off a very successful ’05 season at the College of Wooster in which was a NCAA Division III national qualifier. OWU freshmen Sarah Shinn and Claire Everhart are looking to add to the team’s depth. Marietta sophomore Jessi Larrison and freshman Shannon McDonald should impact the top 10 and Wooster’s Niki Calderone, a junior, is expected to back up Wieferich. Alderson-Broaddus also brings a strong contingent that should have one or two women in the front of the race as well.

The men’s race is scheduled first at 11:00 a.m. and the women to follow at 11:45 a.m. Awards are expected to be given out at 1 p.m.