Freshmen Men Impress in Cross Country Season Opener
THU, 09/01/2011
CLINTON, Miss. – Three freshmen made their Loyola debut for the men’s cross country team tonight at the Choctaw Season Opener, and they certainly gave the spark Head Coach Andy Canegitta was hoping for. Freshmen, Mike Corso, Dylan DiMartino, and Henry Gerbracht all finished in the top-25 in the 5K race.
Mike Corso, the top runner for the men, came in 16th place with a time of 17:16. Finishing right behind him was Dylan DiMartino in 23rd place with a 17:44 time, and Henry Gerbracht in 24th place with a time of 17:52.
Overall the team finished in fourth place out of 11 teams with a score of 116 points, two points behind third place Xavier. Loyola had an average 5K time of 18:00. West Florida finished first overall with an average time of 16:19. Also, the individual winner for the men went to Darwin Price from Grambling with a time of 15:48.
“The men did really well today compared to any of the season openers I’ve coached so far,” said Head Coach Andy Canegitta. “We have a strong freshmen class, and I know my guys will improve with each race.”
Other notable finishes belong to junior Kenny Tsao and sophomore Abraham Thacker. Tsao finished fourth on the team, 31st overall, and ran slightly off his personal best with a time of 18:29. Thacker finished fifth on the team, 36th overall, and clocked a time of 18:40.
Missing in action today and not making their Wolfpack debut were freshmen Paul Freese and Casey Shaw. They were forced out due to injury.
“Two of my top five guys sat out today due to injuries, but they should be ready to go for the home opener next weekend. The key for this team is to stay healthy,” explained Canegitta.
The Loyola cross country team returns to action September 10, at Lafreniere Park, for the Four Points by Sheraton Loyola Wolfpack Invitational. The meet is set to begin at 8 a.m.
Due to technical difficulties, the women’s results have not yet been finalized. They will be posted by tomorrow morning.
Women's Cross Country Takes Second at Opener
FRI, 09/02/2011
Choctaw Season Opener Women's Results
CLINTON, Miss. – Like the men, the Loyola women’s cross country team debuted several new faces to the fold last night in the Choctaw Season Opener, but it was the veteran leaders who helped deliver the team to a second place finish. Sophomore Vanessa Righeimer and juniors Hannah Dougherty and Jenna Knoblach, all finished within ten seconds from each other, as all three placed in the top 15.
Jenna Knoblach led the Pack for the women with an 11th place finish and a time of 16:41.60. Hannah Dougherty finished in 14th place with a time of 16:50.44, followed ever so closely by teammate Vanessa Righeimer in 15th place with a time of 16:50.84.
Overall, the women ran an average time of 17:09.46, which earned them 93 points and a second place finish. The winning team from West Florida clocked an average time of 16:27.42. The individual winner, Mississippi Valley runner Joyce Chumo, ran a time of 15:58.86.
Head Coach Andy Canegitta gave his thoughts on the women’s performance, “First race of the season and running in 90 degree heat, most of the ladies did well and stuck to the race plan of running a 6:20 pace the first mile and progressively increasing their tempo.”
Loyola had thirteen competitors take the field for the women’s 4K event. Another notable finish goes to freshman Jessica Williams who cracked the top-25 in her debut with a time of 17:39.89.
Both the women and the men will compete again September 10 at Lafreniere Park, for the Four Points by Sheraton Loyola Wolfpack Invitational starting at 8 a.m.
Coach Canegitta’s goal for the Wolfpack Invitational and the rest of the season is a short and simple one, “Our goal is to continue to remain in the top of the standings throughout the season. We finished well as a team, but I believe individually they all felt they could have done better, but it’s early, and we will improve throughout the season.”