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Home > Sports >Cross country earns regional ranking
Cross country earns regional ranking
BY KJESTINE STEINBRING
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
Although the men and women's cross country teams have only had one race, they are ranked 6th and 8th in their region of 10 teams.
"It's ok to get excited for a ranking, that's a good thing," said sophomore Liz Palkie. "The important thing that we will try to do is to keep progressing and improving to move up that list."
The women's ranking is based off their performances and times from the first meet, according to junior Greta Stangl. The men's ranking, on the other hand, is mostly based on their previous times and expected results from their returning athletes, according to Palkie.
"Our region is tough," said Palkie. "We've got teams from Colorado, who because of the altitude, train harder." According to Palkie, they are always really good. She also said it is crucial to remain high in the region ranking, because usually those teams top the national ranking, as well.
For the men, the teams to beat this year are Augustana and Mankato State, according to senior Eric Atkinson. "Mankato for sure," said Atkinson. "They're always tough and pretty much always get to nationals." "We've had some great practices, with some great results," said Head Coach John Fulkrod. "The conference and regional meets should be a lot of fun, there will be a lot of great competition."
Even though the regional meet isn't until Oct. 20, the team continues to work hard every day. They work hard to perform well, according to Stangl.
"At practice we need to push ourselves hard, and in meets we need to encourage each other," said Stangl. "That's how we'll get better as a team and reach the top of that list."
The determination was evident last weekend at the Blugold Open in Colfax, WI., with Atkinson winning his second Blugold Invitational, leading the team to win the title by 11 points. Other runners, such as sophomores Mike Kramer, Tyler Bjorhus, Zach Varty and junior Nate Anderson, contributed to scoring and finished in the top 25 at the meet.
The women also did well, with sophomore Katelyn Meger finishing 25th overall and first for the Bulldogs, helping UMD to place 7th as a team. With their top two runners out of commission; Stangl not feeling well and Palkie nursing a sore hamstring; new runners were given a chance to shine.
Freshmen Rachel Hanzal, Whitney and Bridget Hines, Carolyn Wardell and Laura Humphreys were all top finishers for the Bulldogs. The men and women's teams will compete next at the Griak Inviational Saturday at the University of Minnesota.
