Cross Country Starts Season with Alumni Meet

by Madison Pitsch

Bulldog Cross Country has commenced with the Blue & White Alumni Meet at their home course on Saturday, Sept. 10.  The women of the white team won with 27 points, beating the  blue team’s 28. On the men’s side, the blue team pulled through with 26 points to 29 from the white team.

The women, ranked fifth in conference, did not disappoint. Blue team’s junior Emily Sievert came in first. Sophomore Jacy Johnston finished in third, and achieved a course personal record.

Representing the white team was sophomore Taylor Grove with second place and a course personal record. Sophomore Abby Protzman also came through for the white team with a course personal record and fourth place finish.

The winning men’s blue team had a third place finish from sophomore Thomas Taylor and sophomore Evan Asche contributed a course personal record.

Even with a first and second finish, the men of the white team were unable to come up with the win. Junior Kohlton Gabehart swept first with a course personal record, with junior Pat Wortmann following close behind in second.

Running for the alumni were Taylor Mueller (first overall), Kim Wood (seventh overall),  Andrew Malan (13th overall) and Charlie Bloomfield (14th overall).

“I was pleased but not surprised with the results,” Coach Matt Beisel said. “Our men and women have high ambitions for the season, and showed this in their team goal-setting. This year our men and women want to place top three in the GPAC and get as many athletes to the NAIA National Championships as possible.”

Beisel is optimistic as the results indicate a serious improvement from the time trials just three weeks ago.

The Bulldogs are headed to Hastings on Saturday, Sept.17th.

“It will be the first real test of whether they are on the road to accomplishing their team goals,” Beisel said.

Concordia Women Runners

• Senior Marti Vlasin
• Junior Emily Sievert
• Sophomore Taylor Grove
• Sophomore Abby Protzman
• Sophomore Jacy Johnston
• Sophomore Emily Writebol
• Freshman Iliana Barrientos
• Freshman Paige Borcherding
• Freshman Rebekah Hinrichs
• Freshman Erin Lindeman
• Freshman Miranda Rathjen
• Freshman Emily Wetzel

Concordia Men Runners

• Senior Christian Egger
• Senior Chris Shelton
• Junior Kohlton Gabehart
• Junior Pat Wortmann
• Sophomore Evan Asche
• Sophomore Sam Ferguson
• Sophomore Cameron Moes
• Sophomore Thomas Taylor
• Sophomore Isaac Golke
• Sophomore Nathan Matters
• Sophomore Josia McAllister
• Freshman Robbie Peterson
• Freshman Chris Warneke

Alumni Runners

• Andrew Malan
• Taylor Mueller
• Kim Wood
• Charlie Bloomfield