MEQUON, Wis. – The Ken Weidt Classic was held today on the campus of Concordia University Wisconsin. Mount Mary University Cross Country finished 11th of the 13 teams racing in the six kilometer event. Host CUW took first in the team finish while Falcon Nora Imperl won the induvial times finishing in 23:13.3.
One of the most scenic collegiate courses in the region, the 70 degree starting temperature at the gun and a steady breeze provided a picturesque start to the race. For the second straight race, Natalie Guyette (Sr./Shiocton, Wis.) finished ahead of the Blue Angels pack with a 26:19.2 time, good enough for 29th place out of 137 collegiate runners. Guyette improved her six kilometer times in each subsequent race last season, culminating in her collegiate personal record of 24:11.9 in the NCAA Regionals in 2015.
Following Guyette, Christina Ishaq (So./ Milwaukee, Wis.) finished 44th with a time of 27:28.0. Although 55 seconds behind Ishaq's personal record, it is the highest place the sophomore has finished in any NCAA race.
The remaining MMU sophomores finished within seven places of one another with Carlie O'Donnell (So./Sharon, Wis.) crossing the line at 33:17.4 in 79th place. Sarah Anklam (So./St. Marys, Ga.) ended with a 84th place finish and a 37:41.5 time. Mary Banuelos (So./Riverside, Calif.) ran the six kilometers in 40:54.1 with new comer Stephanie Dengler (So./Germantown, Wis.) taking 86th place and a 40:58.5 finish.
Now the Blue Angels will have a few weeks off to prepare for their next race at the Warrior Invite. Wisconsin Lutheran College will host the race at Greenfield Park Sat. Oct. 1, with the gun sounding at 12:00 pm. Stay tuned to mtmaryatheltics.com for all updates.
