Posted: Sep 30, 2022

Every Second Counts

September 30, 2022 | by Ashley Nerat

STORY

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- The Maranatha cross country teams struggled to find their stride today at the Eau Claire Bluggold Invite. Even with many Sabercats achieving their individual season-best times, it, unfortunately, did not prove to be much help as both teams came up short today.

The men's 8K race was host to a total of 25 teams. St. Olaf College finished at number one with a total of 44 points. Three St. Olaf runners finished in the top three. It was Mohammed Bati from Augsburg University that took home the gold, finishing with an impressive time of just 24:22. Maranatha finished 24th out of the 25 schools with a total of 697 points.

Jeremy Fopma crossed the finish line for the Maranatha men. He improved on his time from the Tom Hoffman invitational by a whole 1 minute and 19 seconds, giving him a time of 26:14. He finished 51st out of the 173 runners from competing schools. Jordan Hoffmann, Jon Gilliam, Felipe Diaz, Jim Stille, and Curtis Fink also improved in their times since the Tom Hoffman. Andrew Centifanto ran his first race as a Sabercat, after coming into the season late. He had a time of 33:33 and was the fourth Sabercat to cross the finish line.

The women's 6K was also met with a competitive 25 schools. And again, St. Olaf University finished at number one. They ended with just 40 points and had 4 runners in the top 10. It was Clara Mayfield from Carleton College that took home the gold on the women's side, with a time of just 21:26.

For the Sabercats it was Amber Brungard that finished first this time. She improved her time from the Tom Hoffman Invitational by 56 seconds, finishing with a time of 27:39 - good enough for 17th all-time in program history. She placed 134th out of the 171 runners. Anna Morken, Katelynn Nutzhorn, and Michal Wagner also improved their times in this race. It was nice for the Sabercats to have Taylor Ellis back, who sat out during the last meet due to an injury.

The Maranatha women's team, unfortunately, did not qualify for nationals at this meet. But do not fret. The Sabercats still have two more opportunities this month to qualify.

OVERVIEW

Event: Eau Claire Bluggold Invite (Eau Claire, Wis./UW-Eau Claire)
Men's Finish: 24 of 25 / 697 pts
First Runner: Jeremy Fopma - 51st - 26:14 (8k)
Women's Finish: 24 of 25 / 758 pts
First Runner: Amber Brungard - 134th - 27:39 (5k)
Host: UW-Eau Claire

RESULTS (Men's 8K)

51st - Jeremy Fopma (26:14) *+#
155th - Jordan Hoffmann (30:59) *+
161st - Jonathan Gilliam (32:39) *+
164th - Andrew Centifanto (33:33) +
166th - Josiah Cochran (34:08)
168th - David Dorothy (34:31)
169th - Felipe Diaz (35:16) *
/ - Jim Stille (35:59) *
/ - Curtis Fink (36:20) *
/ - Jeremiah Markle (43:47)

RESULTS (Women's 5K)

134th - Amber Brungard (27:39) *+#
148th - Lydia Neubert (29:13)
151st - Anna Morken (29:50) *
159th - Kate Nutzhorn (31:19) *
166th - Taylor Ellis (38:06)
168th- Liliana Brenner (39:30)
169th - Michal Wagner (41:11) *

*Season-best Time :: +Qualified for NCCAA Nationals :: #Program Top 20

The Sabercats' next meet will be the Wisconsin Private College Championships in West Allis, Wisconsin on October 15. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.