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Comet XC runners dazzle in Iola
IOLA, Kan. — The Cottey College cross country team was in action at Saturday's Allen County Community College XC Invite.
There, the Comets placed fifth at the seven-school event.
In addition to Cottey, an NAIA school, the event was attended by a number of junior college's that were nationally ranked.
First-year Cottey XC coach Rose Howell described the course terrain as "slightly rolling hills, over grass and loose-gravel paths."
Howell also noted that the temperature was a crisp 63 degrees at the start of the race, and that cloud coverage had lifted enough that the race "felt hot and dry."
"In my opinion, (we) mostly ran the best tactical and effort-based race of the season," Howell explained. "However, times did not reflect that accurately."
Sophomore Martina Ramirez paced the Comets with a 5,000 kilometer (5K) time of 20:21, slotting into sixth-place among the field of 51.
"Martina ran a smart, and well-paced race, by sitting in the top 12 runners for the first mile," Howell said, of the 3.1 mile event. "She then worked her way up through the pack over the next two miles, and was able to out-kick another runner in the last 200 meters of the race."
Fellow Cottey sophomore Ella Page finished second among Comet competitors, notching a 10th-place finish. Page's time of 20:40 tied her lifetime personal record, achieved two weeks prior at the Columbia College meet.
Placing third among Comet runners, freshman Kiana Garcia finished 29th overall, clocking a time of 22:26. She was followed by sophomore teammate Deanndria Shields, who finished with a time of 22:48, shaving off a second from her previous season-best showing.
"She showed better tactical pacing and competitive spirit this weekend," Howell said of Page's performance.
Finishing fifth and sixth for the Comets, but not placing, were senior Cheyanne Porter (24:53) and freshman Katie Wright (28:31).
"While both Cheyanne and Katie have showed some very strong workouts in the past couple of weeks of training, both runners felt the pains of a couple reoccurring injuries throughout their run," Howell noted.
Howell indicated she's pleased with the overall strides her squad has made in recent weeks. "Looking at the larger picture, (we) have grown massively over the 2020 season — with many personal and collegiate personal records, as well as showing development in their tactical and pacing strategies during each race."
Howell said the team showcased many of the recent strides they made in the departments of fitness and racing intelligence.
"(It) will benefit them in preparing for the final race of the season, as well as for the Conference and National Championships in March and April."
Up Next
The (NJCAA) Falcon Classic, hosted by Kansas Christian College. The event is slated for Oct. 17 at Lexington Lake.
"We will use this race as a workout, and strategic practice, to prepare for our final race of the Fall season — the Mid-States Classic," Howell said, noting she expects the Oct. 24 event to be larger than previous ones her squad has competed at this fall.