Cross Country Hosts Crown Invitational On Saturday Afternoon
Saint Bonifacius, Minn - Hot and humid conditions didn’t stop 7 men's teams and 7 women's teams from top individual performances at the Crown Invitational. The Crown women’s team placed 5th out of 7 teams and the men were 6th out of 7. The top women’s team was Viterbo (Wis.) and the men’s champion was fellow UMAC member The University of Minnesota Morris.
Leading the Crown women was Freshman Summer Pfaff (Keizer, Oregon). Pfaff completed the 6K course in 26:50 earning 15th place. Other Storm women finishers were Erika Stampfl (28:01), Natalie Merboth (29:22), Hannah Dean (29:43), Kelsey Morrow (30:01), Cherie Hecimovich (31:18), Megan Kunde (33:52), Rebecca McBride (35:34), and Kristen Kalvig (36:12).
The top runner for the men was Freshman Mike Palmer (Newton, Iowa) who placed 14th in the 8K race in 30:13. Palmer was followed by Vince Elmhorst (32:07), Simon Kulzer (32:42), Kyle Pitts (34:08), and Adam Fuerst (40:15).
“I was pleased with our team effort and our progress so far this season,” said coach Rick Peterson. “It’s been a busy start to our season with 3 meets in 11 days, including a trip to Colorado. Summer (Pfaff) ran exceptionally well and it was great to have Erika (Stampfl) back from her leg injury. Kristen (Kalvig) is well ahead of her pace a year ago and Adam (Fuerst) ran very courageously to complete his first ever college cross country meet. We have a strong team commitment that is beginning to pay off.”
The Storm runners return to action on Saturday, September 26 at the Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota.
