CROSS COUNTRY

The HU cross country program opened its season in dominating the Manchester University Hokum Karem by both teams bringing home a first-place trophy.

The Hokum Karem originated at Wabash College over 50 years ago. Legendary Little Giants Coach J. Owen Huntsman created the event which partners two runners together, alternating loops over a one-mile circuit for a total of six miles for women and eight miles for men.

For the men, they successfully defended their title from last year. Adrien Gentie had an impressive outing to pace Coach Johnson’s crew. Not only did his opening mile time of 4:28.2 prove to be the fastest mile of the day, it also set a new course record while his four-mile time of 14:37 was also a course-breaking performance.

Gentie teamed up with Aaron Hendryx to finish first among 40 pairs. The duo posted an overall time of 38:17.2 for a 4:47 pace per mile.

Making their running debut as Foresters, freshmen Kent Yoder and Haile Stutzman claimed second overall by clocking in at 38:51.6 for an average mile time of 4:51. Rounding out the scoring for Huntington was Elijah Chesterman and Luke Zeddis who registered a 39:52.2 (4:59 per mile) to take fifth.

As a team, HU finished with eight points followed by Manchester (24), Grace (32), Indiana Tech (34), Trine (34) and Saint Francis (53).

On the women’s side, IU transfer Hannah Stoffel established herself as the fastest woman at the meet. Her opening mile (5:04.2) was not only the fastest mile of the evening but also proved a new course record, as did her three-mile time of 15:49.

Stoffel ran with Olivia Von Gunten and together the twosome clocked in at 34:36.1 for a 5:46 mile pace to finish second out of 42 pairs.

Molly Mitchell and Mara McFarland claimed third in 35:19.7 (5:53/mile) while Saige Norris and Sydney Kallem rounded out HU’s scoring with their seventh-place finish in 36:34.7 which averages out to a 6:06 mile.

As a team, the Foresters logged 12 points for the win followed by St. Mary’s (23), Saint Francis (39), Indiana Tech (43), Trine (43), Manchester (46) and Grace (54.)

When all was said and done, eight HU men ran faster than the Foresters’ No. 1 runner last year at this race while four HU women turned in better times than their top runner last year with Molly Mitchell’s improvement the most notable. The senior harrier was 1:40 faster per mile this year compared to last.

“I’m proud of both squads for accomplishing their goals for this meet and for taking advantage of the opportunity they had to get in a great training session in a fun, competitive environment,” said second year Coach Nick Johnson. “Obviously I’m pleased with Hannah and Adrien earning the honors of fastest woman and man.”

Coach Johnson is excited to see the season unfold for his squads. “Both teams have the goal of competing at the national championships this fall.

“Our ladies received a fair amount of votes in the preseason national rankings, and they showed today that they are worthy of that recognition. Our men’s team showed that they are also contending for a trip to the national championships this fall.”

Next up for the Foresters is the IWU Twilight Invitational on September 6.