WHITEWATER, Wis. – For the first time in program history, the Mount Mary University cross country team participated in the annual Tom Hoffman Invitational hosted by the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. The Blue Angels finished 11th out of 15 teams. Warhawk Jessica Braun finished first in individual times with 25:07.5, while University of Wisconsin La Crosse placed first in team scoring.
Among some of the region's top collegiate runners, Jori Galles (Sr./Waukesha, Wis.) had her best place of the year at eighth and finished the rugged six kilometer terrain with a final time of 25:55.5. Outside of Edgewood's Alyse Peters, Galles was the only other runner from the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference to finish in the top ten.
Christina Ishaq (Jr./Milwaukee, Wis.) finished with a 27:15.9. Her 31st place finish out of 155 runners was well ahead of the scoring pack. As the Blue Angels averaged a net gain on their times this week, the tough track gave some of the NCAA Division III's best runners a hard time also. Ishaq resisted the harsh conditions and had one of her best places of her career; Ishaq finished under 31 three times in her collegiate career (Career stats).
In her second collegiate race, Miranda Fluegge finished with a 33:28.4 time. The tough terrain did not phase the rookie much. Finishing at 128th officially, 85th for team scoring, Fluegge helped anchor the pack for the Blue Angels.
Also in her second race, Manami Komatsu finished paces behind Fluegge at 138th place, 90th team scoring. The junior posted a 35:10.3 time and was steps ahead of the remainder of the Blue Angels scoring.
Daniella Torres, Mary Jenks (So./Wild Rose, Wis.) and Sarah Anklam (Jr./ St Marys, Ga.) rounded out the team scoring finishing 94th, 95th and 96th respectively. Torres crossed the line first with a 35:52.9 finish.
The Blue Angels will have 14 days to recoup and prepare for the Warrior Invite. Wisconsin Lutheran College hosts the annual event at Greenfield Park Sat. Sept. 30. For updates, final times and news for upcoming events follow mtmaryathletics.com.
