Sept. 12, 2009

Maroon and Gold Invitational at Kutztown University

FINAL SELECTED TEAM STANDINGS – MEN:

1. Kutztown 17              2. Albright 48                3. Drew University 70

FINAL SELECTED TEAM STANDINGS – WOMEN:
1. Kutztown 22              2. Drew University 35

Men and Women place first at Maroon and Gold Invitational, despite bad weather

Kutztown, PA. - The Nor ‘Easter didn’t seem to care that the Kutztown cross country teams were hosting the Maroon and Gold Invitational on Saturday. With a steady rain, heavy at times, Kutztown thrived as each team finished first overall. In addition, senior Ben Loht (Lewistown/Indian Valley) and junior Christina Reimer (Chester Springs/Downingtown East) were the leaders of the pack for their respective cross-country teams.

Hosting Drew College, Albright College and Middlesex College, the Golden Bear men took their stance at the starting line for that 10 a.m. shotgun start. Finishing in second last season, the men were determined to finish first this year.

Competing in their first meet of the season, the Kutztown men dominated the race from the beginning, never looking back. By the third mile marker, the pack included five Golden Bear runners and two from Albright College.

Leading the pack throughout the majority of the course, Loht broke ahead in the final stretch, finishing with a time of 27:49. Grabbing second place, junior Kevin Rodgers (Clifton Heights/Upper Darby), finished in 28:08, followed closely by sophomore Ryan Reich (Oley/Oley Valley), in third place. Sophomores Frank Nick (Kintnersville/Palisades), Eli Weeks (Pottstown/Owen J. Roberts), and freshman Joe Dyas (Westampton/Rancocas Valley), also placed in the top 10.  Freshman Harry Latchford (Enola/East Penn), finished in 11^th, securing a first place win for the Golden Bears. Albright College (48), finished second and Drew University finished in third with 70 points.

 Although they’re in what Coach Ray Hoffman claims is a second rebuilding year, the men didn’t show any signs of inexperience.

With weather conditions worsening the women kicked off their race a few minutes after the men finished. Breaking from the pack early, Reimer led the entire race, finishing in 25 minutes, 32 seconds.

“It was real bad weather,” Reimer said after the race, “I just wanted to go with it and catch myself. The ground was so sloshy. I just wanted to get it done and get it over with." 

Reimer gives credit of her finish to Steph Grimm (Fleetwood/Oley Valley), who’s 2008 season was cut short from an injury. Running in her first meet since the Penn State Invitational last October, Grimm grabbed second place only six seconds after Reimer, finishing at 25:38.

“Steph really helped push me throughout the course,” Reimer said. "She’s running really well.”

All of the women finished in the top 10. Senior Lauren Ayers (Ocean Twp., N.J./Ocean Twp.), finished with a time of 28:15 for fifth place. Senior Becky Webb (Lavrys Station/Parkland), secured sixth place while sophomores Jessica Frederick (Whitehall/Whitehall), and Lindsey Ray (Barnegat, N.J./Barnegat), rounded up Kutztown to take eighth and ninth, respectively.

Coach Hoffman is rotating his runners on both teams, having them compete at every other meet. The teams aren’t looking to race as a unit until mid-season. The members who did not compete today came to the course, brought high spirits and decked themselves out in body paint, demonstrating their support for their teammates.

“Right now, we’re dealing with a lot of health issues,” Reimer said. “I just can’t wait to be able to have the whole team together and compete with each other. I’m really excited for that.”

The Golden Bears travel to the Bronx in New York for the Iona Meet of Champions, hosted by Iona College on Saturday, September 19^th. The teams will be back in the region on Friday, October 2 for the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University.

--KU--