AUGUSTA, Kan. ? The Wichita State men's and women's cross country teams started their respective 2007 campaign on a winning note by bringing home the team titles at the 59th Annual J.K. Gold Classic on Saturday on the RAFT Golf Course in Augusta, Kan.
On the women's side, the Shockers took advantage of perfect weather conditions holding down the top three individual spots on their way to a comfortable team victory. The Shockers compiled just 21 points, while second-place Kansas State totaled 37.
Kellyn Johnson, a transfer from Cloud County [Kan.] CC, took medalist honors with a 4K time of 13:50. Senior Mica Land (14:11) followed in second and sophomore Olivia Martinez (14:31) rounded out the top three. Junior Jenna Wood (14:59) and freshman Danielle Walker (15:03) placed seventh and eighth respectively, to complete the top five for WSU.
“Kellyn (Johnson) and Mica (Land) have established themselves this past year,” head cross country coach Marc Burns said. “It is great to see them up their running effortlessly. It was exciting to see Olivia Martinez step up and be our third runner. I thought Jenna Wood and Danielle Walker were awesome today.”
The Shocker men had a much closer finish, beating KSU by just three points, with a total of 42 points. The victory gave Wichita State a sweep for both men and women for the third-consecutive season at the Gold Classic.
Scott Reed (18:41) led WSU with a fourth-place finish, while Cloud County transfer Sam Chege (19:16) placed sixth to lead the Shockers.
“Scott Reed ran a steady race,” Burns said. “He usually gets better the second half of the race and he did that today. I am really excited about the way Sam Chege went out and ran hard. To see him get out and make that kind of effort to run in the front was exciting.”
WSU juniors Nick Nowak (19:22) and Scott Johnson (19:41) finished eight and 13th, while Hector Castaneda (19:54) placed 15th to help the Shockers take the team title.
“I thought Scott Johnson and Nick Nowak did a great job of stepping up and being our three and four runners,” Burns said. “We are rounding out nice and we have a long way to go. When you can come in and defend your home turf, that's awesome. Mission accomplished.”
The top two individual spots for the men were earned by Cloud County's Julius Kiptoo (17:56) and Johnny Shuping (18:16)
The Shockers will ride the victory into an off week before traveling to Iowa City, Iowa, for the Iowa Open on Saturday, Sept. 15.
Other Shocker Finishers:
- Women -
10. Heather Klotz (15:07)
12. Jessica Stephens (15:23)
14. Rachel York (15:36)
15. Grace McCarron (15:42)
17. Hali Mobley (15:58)
19. Ryan Ayres (16:28)
- Men -
18. Brandon Haist (20:14)
19. Jacob Jarvis (20:19)
25. Jake Stecklein (21:04)
--Wichita State--
