XC 2009 Result: Cobber Invitational

(photos and video below)

Evidenced by today's run at the Cobber Invitational, the Cougar men and women's cross country teams continue to show dramatic improvement from race to race, unhindered by weather and trail conditions. This bodes well for the UMAC season-ending race in two weeks.

A steady rain for most of the day turned the track at M.B. Johnson Park in Moorhead soggy, even boggy in parts. But this did not deter the Cougar harriers who had several high placing runners in the field.

On the men's side, junior Andrew Rehmann won the 8k in a time of 28:14. Sophomores Ian Philbrick and Matt Ellison broke 29 minutes for the first time in their careers, while sophomores Greg Schumacher and Andrew Birnstengel each broke the 30 minute barrier for the first time. Birnstengel's time was 1:30 better than his previous best.

Also running PR's on the day for the men were first year student athletes Jacob Von Rentzell (1 minute better), Matt Huseby (1:30) and Michael Unger (1:00)

First year Linda Keller took the women's first, covering 6k in 23:10, winning by nearly 300 yards. Sophomore Kacy Nehowig finished seventh in a personal best of 24:39.

Sophomores Gemma Miltich, Cristina Montanez and Sonja Smidt also turned in personal best for the day. Smidt's PR was her third straight in three meets.

Cougar Men in the Field
Andrew Rehmann 28:14.3 (top finisher)
Ian Philbrick 28:34.2
Matt Ellison 28:57.2
Greg Schumacher 29:45.3
Andrew Birnstengel 29:46.4
Nick Fox 30:11.6
Jacob VonRentzell 30:26.1
Dugan Flanders 30:32.4
Denver Rogalla 30:53.1
Matt Huseby 31:00.1
John Jones 32:03.9
Mike Unger 33:33.0

Cougar Women in the Field
Linda Keller 23:10.0 (top finisher)
Kacy Nehowig 24:39.0
Katie Schneiderman 26:04.2
Gemma Miltich 26:18.1
Debbie Schneiderman 26:41.4
Cristina Montanez 27:12.5
Kate Campbell 28:00.8
Sonja Smidt 28:54.2
Caitlin Percy 29:32.7
Katie Saddison 30:28.9
Ashleigh Thompson 30:54.3