Storm Runners place 7th and 8th in UMAC CC Meet
St. Bonifacius, Minn - Rain and mud threatened to steal the show at the UMAC Conference Cross Country Meet hosted by Crown College on Saturday, October 31. Nine UMAC teams competed on a course that at points resembled a mud run. The Crown women earned a 7th place team finish and the men were 8th. St. Scholastica won the team championship for both the men and women.
Summer Pfaff led the way for the Storm women with a 29th place finish over the 6K course in 26:59. Following Pfaff was Hannah Dean in 48th (28:10), Kelsey Morrow was 58th (29:17), Cherie Hecimovich finished 69th (30:42), Erika Stampf came in 74th (31:00), and Natalie Merboth was 89th (33:11).
“Our women fought courageously,” said coach Rick Peterson. “They ran hard and gave a good effort, but really couldn’t find the reserves or the footing to put together one of those over-the-top days. It’s the first time that some of our ladies have faced really adverse course conditions. Overall, they have come a long way this season and I’m proud of each one of them.”
The Crown men had a strong race bouncing back following the illness of two runners. Returning as the first finisher for the Storm was Freshman Mike Palmer who placed 24th in 30:20 over the 8K course. Vince Elmhorst ran exceptionally well finishing 27th in 30:34. Simon Kulzer was third for the Storm in 33:05; followed by Kyle Pitts (33:33), Adam Fuerst (34:40), and Logan Christianson(42:53).
“I think both our women and men got a good look today at what it takes to compete well in our conference.” said Peterson. “We’re a young team and our core is very strong. With continued effort and discipline; I’m confident that we will advance further in our conference over the next couple years. As a team; I’m pleased that we have made taken positive steps to trust God for strength to train and race hard.”
The Storm men and women runners will wrap up their season on Saturday, November 14 at the NCAA Regional Meet to be held in Grinnell, Iowa.
