Glen Davis named NJCCA DII Cross Country Athlete of the Week by USTFCCCA.
Race report written and contributed by SC4 coach Andrea Rheaume.
The SC4 men's cross country team had redemption on their minds this weekend after placing fifth at their home conference meet two weeks ago when two of their top five guys stepped off the course due to injury. Redemption is exactly what they achieved, as the Skippers placed first at the Charger Invitational hosted by Marion University's Ancilla College.
The wet and soggy conditions of a rough-footed 8k course didn't stop six of the seven Skippers from posting personal records. Glen Davis ran away from the field winning the race with a PR of 25:35.8. This breaks his own school record by 15 seconds. Matt LaFreniere placed third overall, running a 58-second PR with a time of 26:23.4. This bumps him up to second on the SC4 All-Time List. Michael Paoletti dropped 45 seconds off his previous record, placing fourth overall. Paoletti is now third on the SC4 All-Time List. Back from injury, Logan Cooper was the team's fourth man placing 12th overall. Cooper set a 30-second PR with a time of 27:46.7. Rounding out the top five was Mason Wildie with a time of 28:26.6. This is a 19-second PR for Wildie. Devin Dudley ran as the team's sixth man posting a huge PR by 2:47 with a time of 30:18.7. Joe Edgemon posted a time of 31:27.4, only 25 seconds off his personal record.
When asked what it felt like to lead the entire race Davis responded, "Some people view leading the whole race as a challenge because having nobody to work with can be tough, but I think it really shows you how tough you are mentally when you are up there all alone trying to continue to push your own pace and holding off the rest of the field, so I live for the challenge and love to win." In regard to the course conditions, Davis stated, "The course was tough but the guys and I embraced it today and didn't use it as an excuse. Shout-out to Matt and Mike as well, becoming second and third in school history. It feels great being able to continue to get after it with them and have success." For his achievements this week in cross country, Davis was named the National Junior College Athletic Association's D2 Cross Country Athlete of the Week by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). https://www.ustfccca.org/2023/10/featured/m-f-athletic-collegiate-cross-country-national-athletes-of-the-week-october-16
The women's cross country team dominated the conference again coming in first place, as well. Tough course conditions didn't slow the team down as four of the six runners posted personal records and season bests. Jessica Denver was the first Skipper across the line, placing fourth overall with a time of 19:53.8, which was just two seconds off her PR. Grace Wessel put up a great performance, placing sixth overall with a time of 19:59.2. This is a 19-second PR for Wessel and moves her up to the number two spot on the SC4 All-Time List. Mary Kaminski placed 13th overall at 20:44.0. Kaminski's time is a nine-second PR and moves her up to the number six spot on the SC4 All-Time List. Elizabeth Baldwin literally ran out of her shoe (she lost one in a mud puddle) to run a 23-second PR with a time of 21:28.8. Elizabeth Sliman was just two seconds off her season best with a time of 21:45.9 and Kayla McIntyre had a great race, posting a 41 second season best with a time of 21:47.1.
When asked what got her through the race despite the tough course conditions Baldwin responded, "We went into the race with the boys' good energy after their own race fueling us. I told the team we need to stay focused, but also have fun and I think that really helped. We have a really good team mentality during the races, as we're always making little comments to each other when we can push ourselves. Despite losing my shoe halfway through the race, I was still able to push forward because of my teammates." In regard to the team capturing another conference win heading into Regionals, Baldwin states, "Heading into regionals our main goal is to stay focused and calm and I want us to keep doing what we're doing and not get caught up in the nerves and excitement. The team is really strong this season and we can only keep improving."
The Skippers will take the next two weeks to prepare for the MCCAA Conference and the NJCAA Region XII Championship. Both races are hosted by Grand Rapids Community College on Friday, October 27th at Douglas Walker Park.
FULL RESULTS: https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/223684/info
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