Escanaba, MI - The Grace Christian University cross country team took a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan this weekend to run in the Norse Invitational hosted by Bay College. The course proved to be quite different from what the team is accustomed to so far this season with rolling hills through farm fields, running through a horse barn, and the warmest air temperatures for a race so far. Along with traveling, it was an excellent opportunity to work on a strategy for regionals in Iowa next month, as they will be facing a similar course there.
The men's team was led by freshman Caleb Anderson (Wyoming, MI), who ran a 29:45 8k, a new personal best, and took 7th place overall, earning himself a spot on the podium for the second week in a row. Anderson's race was the 6th fastest 8k time in school history. Team captain sophomore Ian Hinkle (Grand Ledge, MI) ran a 30:30, placing 17th, and sophomore Jude Vargo ran a 38:37, placing 42nd in his first ever 8k race.
Anderson and Hinkle are currently ranked #2 and #3 in the nation for NCCAA D II cross country 8k times and look to continue to improve as the season continues.
The women's team placed as follows: team captain junior Kristina Brandenburg (Twin Lake, MI) placed 24th, running a 23:58, followed by freshman Sayla Bender (Kingsley, MI), who placed 27th and ran a 24:38, freshman Lily Anderson (Pickford, MI), who placed 30th and ran a 25:33, and sophomore Aura Fleis (Republic, MI), who placed 40th and ran a time of 26:52.
With the women's team already qualified for Nationals, they were able to rest a couple of their runners who did not compete in Saturday's race so there was no team score for the Tigers.
This long weekend in Escanaba was a growth opportunity for the team, as they all strengthened as runners and as a family. Grace's team discussed how this course will be similar to the one they will face at regionals and nationals, highlighting the importance of every team member in achieving a good placement at these larger meets.
Next up for the Tiger cross country squads is the Lansing Invitational, hosted by Lansing Community College, on Friday, September 19th. The women's 5k race at Grand Woods Park will begin at 11 AM with the men's 8k race to follow.
