Grace Runners Open Season In Style
WESTVILLE – The Grace College cross country team blew past the field in the season-opening Northwest Classic on Friday.
Raven Arellano won the race for the women’s team in a time of 20:01, and Nathan Lane won the men’s race in 16:59.
Overall, the women’s team had seven of the top 11 individual finishers in the race, and the men’s team boasted seven in the top 10.
“This was a good start to the year. We really considered it a workout and set some specific groups and paces, which everyone followed fairly well,” said Grace coach Jeff Raymond. “We will learn a lot more about our team over the next month with some challenging competition, but I’m pleased with where we are at this early date.”
In the women’s race, Arellano claimed the title by over 16 seconds. Karla Singer was fourth overall in a time of 21:05.
The next three finishers were all freshmen — Alison Coleman (fifth), Brigit Nemitz (sixth) and Brooke Smith (seventh).
The men’s side saw a pack of Lancers at the front. Grace’s top seven, who all placed in the top 10, had a spread of 35 seconds.
Lane and Ben Rankin finished 1-2 in the race, with the freshman Rankin putting up a time of 17:00.
Joel Bertelsen was fifth in the race, and Sam Hall was three seconds behind him for sixth. Hunter Reed, Brendan Hamilton and Tyler Houvener all finished in the race’s top 10.
The Lancers’ next meet is Sept. 9 at the IWU Invitational.