The Bulldog harriers got a taste of “big time” cross-country when they traveled to Lincoln, Neb., for the University of Nebraska “Woody Greeno Invitational” last Saturday. With 292 men and 253 women from approximately 35 schools competing in the college division (NCAA D-II and D-III, and NAIA) in addition to a half-dozen NCAA Division I schools, the atmosphere was a new experience to the young McPherson runners.
“We’ve been going to this meet for a number of years, and overall, the quality was higher this year than I’ve every seen it,” said McPherson coach Bart Gray.
Troy Hernandez was the top finisher for the Bulldog men, completing the 8-kilometer Pioneer Park course in 28:29. Bryan Grosbach, who competed between Friday and Saturday evening performances with the College’s theatre production, ran 31:03.
“Troy and Bryan ran very well,” Gray said. “His time was right there with the fastest he ran last year, and it came early, so I believe the meet was very good for his confidence. He is excited about what the future can hold for him, and I believe he is beginning to feel confident in Pam and I, and our methods.”
For the women, the race, which was run under NCAA guidelines, was 1,000 meters longer than the usual nAIA distance of 5,000 meters. McPherson put three women on the starting line and freshman Bethany Lohmeyer was the first one home in a time of 30:48 for the 6k women’s course. Lobmeyer was followed across the line by Mandy Shobe in 33:38 and Rachel Crist in 35:00. Both Shobe and Crist were competing in their first collegiate meet. “The girls were kind of disappointed in their marks, but I believe they felt good about the first exposure to ‘real’ collegiate cross-country.”
“We looked as this as a chance to come in early (Friday evening) and see the regional meet course,” said Gray. “We knew we weren’t ready to compete with a lot of these people, but the experience of running in a meet this size, and on the course where the Regional IV meet (November 8) will be will benefit us on down the road.
“An overnight trip like this is good for bringing a team together. Plus, this was a great recruiting trip for us since we were able to make personal contact with a lot of our former runners who are now coaching in the Lincoln/Omaha area.”