Cross country teams earn wins at Bronco Invitational

The Concordia University cross country squads traveled to Hastings on Saturday for the Bronco Invitational.  A total of three women’s teams and four men’s teams took part in the event.  Both Concordia teams finished first.  

Doane College and Hastings College joined Concordia in the women’s race.  Concordia finished with a score of 24 to win the event.  Sarah Kortze (Rockford, Ill.) finished first overall with a time of 18:35.60 on the 5k course.  Jena Schwalenberg (Columbus, Neb.) was close behind in second place with a time of 18:39.97.  Martha Meineke (Denver, Colo.) and Toni Hulinsky (Bayard, Neb.) finished fifth and sixth, respectively.  Meineke had a time of 19:14.94, and Hulinsky finished at 19:30.71.  Renee Williams (Lincoln, Neb.) finished fifth on the team and 10th overall with a time of 19:59.52.

"Our women had a very good race today," remarked Kregg Einspahr, head coach of the Bulldogs.  "They are finally healthy and running well."   

Doane College, Hastings College and York College competed with Concordia in the men’s 8k race.  Concordia finished with a team score of 26, while Doane was second with a score of 36. Freshman Ben Sievert (Frankenmuth, Mich.) finished second overall with a time of 25:54.38.  Sievert finished only behind Doane’s Edwin Ronoh, who won the event with a time of 25:52.17.  Hayden Hohnholt (Saratoga, Wyo.), Beau Billings (Valentine, Neb.) and Adam Prahlow (St. Louis, Mo.) finished third through sixth, respectively, for the Bulldogs.  Hohnholt finished at 26:28.64.  Billings finished with a time of 26:34.57, while Prahlow came in at 26:54.62.  Creighton Pearse (Kearney, Neb.) finished fifth on the team and 12th overall with a time of 27:39.07. 

"Our top four guys had very good races today," added Einspahr.  "We held out Coli Morrissey (Omaha, Neb.) today.  He was sore, but he should be back next weekend.  We look forward to the Mount Marty Invite.  It is always a great classic race with many very good teams from the upper midwest."  

Concordia will travel to the Mount Marty Invite on October 22.