CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Despite a dire forecast of nearly certain rain, thunderstorms and high winds, the weather semi-cooperated on Friday, Oct. 3, at the All-Ohio Championship hosted by Cedarville University. Battling stiff winds throughout the afternoon, the Bluffton University cross country teams raced well in this important meet which brings together virtually all of the state’s colleges for an across-the-board NCAA-NAIA-JUCO, throw-them-all-together 600+ competitor battle. Needless to say, it is an intense and ultra-competitive meet.

On the men’s side, sophomore Jack Fisher (Norwalk/St. Paul) led the Beavers with a fine 26:38 clocking on Cedarville’s rolling five-mile course, nearly two minutes quicker than he completed this race last season. Junior Zach Bradley (Sheffield/Brookside) followed Fisher across the line ninety seconds later and then just behind Bradley came the freshman duo of Kris Lyons (Vickery/Margaretta) and Chris Tatom (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central).

The women’s team was led by sophomore Anna Hairston (Mansfield/Ontario) in a 25:26 performance for the 6,000 meter distance. Freshman Alissa Hauke (Hillsboro) continues to impress in only her third 6k race, following Hairston to the finish 31 seconds later. Junior Tara Murphy (Westerville/Thomas Worthington), sophomore Raven Wilson (Coshocton/Riverview) and freshman Elaina Alpeter (Galloway/Hilliard Bradley) completed the scorers for the Beavers.

“Our team is beginning to bear the fruits of hard work since reporting for pre-season camp in mid-August,” said Head Coach Karen Brandt. “Physical work is only one part of the equation of distance running; mental and emotional toughness are other key ingredients to success. We don’t shy away from the big fields and demanding competition in an attempt to accelerate this hardening process. We are making big strides in this aspect of racing but there is still work to do before the end of the season.”

The Bluffton harriers compete again in their final tune-up meet on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Oberlin College in the Inter-Regional Rumble, a race that traditionally brings together squads from three to four NCAA regions as all seek to prepare for conference championships as well as regional and for some, national, championships.

-BEAVERS-