Storm Runners Compete In Colorado this Past Weekend
Colorado Springs, CO - A pair of freshmen led the cross country team in an opening performance at the Rust Buster Invitational hosted by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The women’s team was led by freshman Summer Pfaff (Keizer, Oregon). Out in front for the men was freshman Mike Palmer (Newton, Iowa). Pfaff placed 51st out of 75 women in the 4K race with a time of 18:11. Palmer was 68th out of 86 men in the 6K with a time of 22:25. “This was probably the toughest competition that we will face all season long,” said coach Rick Peterson. As a team, we ran well. It gave us a good start to the season to build upon. We stayed in Colorado for a couple days to train in the mountains. I think the entire experience was very positive for the cross country program.” Also competing in the 4K race for the Storm women were Natalie Merboth (19:24), Hannah Dean (19:51), Kelsey Morrow (20:03), Cherie Hecimovich (20:16), Megan Kunde (23:19), Rebecca McBride (23:50), and Kristen Kalvig (24:24). Other men finishers in the 6K bedsides Palmer were Vince Elmhorst (25:04), Simon Kulzer (25:32), and Kyle Pitts (25:58). The Storm runners return to action this Saturday, September 12 when they host six other colleges at the Crown Invitational to be held on campus. The women’s 6K will start at 10:15 am and the men will run at 11:00 am.
