This past Friday the Little Giant harriers took to the Purdue University cross country course for the Indiana Intercollegiate Men’s Cross Country Championships. With beautiful weather and an extremely strategic and challenging course, the undefeated squad looked to capitalize on the momentum built in the past few weeks. Finishing in eighth place overall in the small school division, however, was not exactly what the Little Giants were expecting.
The afternoon began early for some of the team in the “open race”, where anyone who feels up to the challenge can enter the race. The Little Giants saw some great determination from the younger athletes. Freshmen James Kennelly, Nick Hitch, and Jacob Surface all turned in stellar performances and set their personal bests at the five-mile distance, hopefully a sign of things to come for the team.
Although there were many personal bests set by the varsity squad as well, the technicality of the latter stages of the race broke up the Red Pack and allowed some of the opposition to gain some key places and an advantage in the overall scoring. The team went out, according to plan, in a strong pack through the first two miles, but the strain of the quicker pace of the larger schools soon started to wear on some of the Wabash runners.
Freshman standout Seth Einterz somehow managed to hold on throughout the race, turning in an outstanding time of 26:09.33 and eighth place in the small school division. He was followed closely by Hugh Jackson in 30th (26:47.48), Sam Compton-Craig in 33rd (26:52.50), and Geoff Lambert in 46th (27:13:64). Ben Bly rounded out the team scoring, finishing 60th (27:39.40).
When asked about the team’s performance overall, junior captain Sam Compton-Craig related his sentiments saying, “Everyone improved (as far as time is concerned), but I think we all expected a little more from ourselves.” Other reactions seemed to mirror his response with high expectations and excitement over the faster times, but also a feeling of disappointment as to how the team stacked up against the competition.
Senior captain Geoff Lambert vented some of his frustration with the race as well, “All of our times improved but no one was happy with where they placed,” Lambert said. “We expected to be higher up in the overall standings and I know I am upset with the way I ran. But on the other hand I am excited that everyone is extremely focused going into the hardest part of our season.”
The Little Giants will take the next two weeks off in order to prepare for the Notre Dame Invitational on Friday September 28, where they hope to finish strong as a team against some tough regional competition, including Depauw, and also continue to improve with faster individual times throughout the roster.