The Fort Hays State University cross country team went to Hutchinson for the “Romp at the Ridge” for their second meet of the season.
The women topped the field with their second consecutive first place, and the men placed second.
“It was a good meet, really pleased with how they performed, and they all ran close together,” said Jason McCullough, head coach.
It was also the second straight meet in which the Tigers had an individual top the whole field of runners. Micki Krzesinski, Edwardsville sophomore, won her first cross country meet, topping the field of 96 by running the new 5k course record at 19:00 flat.
“She worked really hard over the summer,” McCullough said. “It gives a good example to the freshman how to work towards a goal.”
FHSU had three other runners inside 20 minutes on a course McCullough said is around 200 meters long.
“It’s really promising to have that many people run that quick,” McCullough said.
Chelsea Jackson, Garden City freshman, was third overall and a top finisher for the Tigers running 19:17.
“She just has a wonderful attitude,” McCullough said. “She looks like she really loves running. It’s great to have a young runner step up.
“It shows the other freshman that you can train hard and be good right a way.”
Despite being sick and not running for four days leading up to the meet, Ramsey McCarter, Topeka junior, was still able to place fifth overall running 19:46.
Alex Keehn, Clay Center senior, was seventh running under 20 minutes and Vanessa Resh, Shelton, Neb., junior, was ninth for the Tigers
The men’s team took second overall for the second straight meet.
“We had some that were battling illness,” McCullough said. “It’s always good to see they can still go out and compete even when they aren’t feeling their best.”
Red shirt Isaac Williams, Pretty Prairie junior, paved the way for the Tigers with a second place finish. Williams led all but the last 800 meters of the race running 26:21 over the 8k course, just seven seconds off the leader.
“He had a great performance tying his personal best on a long course,” McCullough said.
The next three runners all battled through illness to finish within the top 10 for the Tigers.
Troy Wineinger, Tribune sophomore, ran 27:26, Ryan Hopkins, Wichita junior, ran 27:34, and Seth Parres, O’Fallon, Mo., junior (27:38) finished sixth, seventh, and eighth respectively.
“To have them all working together and see it, it was amazing,” McCullough said.
Jacob Thomas, Garden City, sophomore rounded at the top finishers for Fort Hays just outside the top 10, finishing 11th.
The teams have some time off before they will race again.
The Tigers’ next race will be first MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association) competition of the year on Sept. 26 at Emporia for the Hornet Invitational.