Friday, October 25
Dexter, Mich.
TBA
Michigan State University
at
EMU Fall Classic
Spartans Close Regular Season with Top Times at EMU Fall Classic
10/26/2019 1:24:00 AM | Cross Country
DEXTER, Mich. – Michigan State cross country closed out the regular season on Friday evening at the EMU Fall Classic, with many runners turning in personal bests. The last regular-season meet gave younger runners the opportunity to compete one last time this season.
Both men's and women's sides traversed the 5k course at Hudson Mills MetroPark in the last meet of the regular season before championship season begins with the Big Ten Championships next week.
"I thought we performed really well with both groups – things that we've been working on all year; getting them to really by in and looking for someone to help," Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Walt Drenth said. "There was really strength in numbers, and I thought they did a really nice job of that on both teams. Our energy was outstanding; I thought the way we competed the entire race was good."
On the women's side, the Spartans had seven runners in the top-25 finishers. Freshman Katie Osika was the first Spartan across the line, turning in a career-best time of 17:35.0 for fifth-place. Junior Claire Kendall clocked in at 17:40.7 for seventh place, also with a career-best.
Freshman Karenna Duffey finished in 11th place with a career-best time of 18:06.4. Juniors Stephanie Vanis (14th – 18:17.1) and Kayla Wiitala (15th – 18:20.4), along with freshman Courtney Krupp (16th – 18:27.4) closed out the top 20 for Michigan State, crossing the line within a few seconds of each other.
Freshman Lidia Clarizio closed out the scoring for the Spartan women, turning in a time of 18:49.4 which was good for 25th place and a career-best.
"Throughout the year, the more they learn and the more they're able to apply what they've learned now to later is good and it's a sign of growth," Drenth said. "I was really pleased with our energy with both genders. They were engaged, excited to race. We train hard for a long time; the whole summer and all-year round and when they get a chance to compete it's important to them and I appreciate that."
For the Spartan men, four runners crossed the line consecutively. Junior Zac Wright-Fisher (15:30.8), freshman Brenden Allen (15:31.4), freshman Jack Huber (15:40.7) and junior Avery Felty (15:43.2) placed 11th through 14th, respectively.
Sophomore John Gove turned in a time of 15:52.9 for 17th place while freshman Jalen Smith posted a time of 16:01.8 for 21st place. Junior Luke Beauchamp closed out the scoring for the Spartans with a time of 16:16.4.
With the Spartan top runners not competing at this race, many of them made the trip to Eastern Michigan on Friday afternoon to support and cheer on their teammates as they took the course.
"We're as healthy as we've been all year. We had an outstanding practice yesterday, and we're wrapping up with a really good race today so I think we're in a really good place," Drenth said. "I'm pleased with where we're at, they're doing a lot of the right things. I expect that we'll continue to be good over the next few weeks."
UP NEXT: Michigan State cross country begins postseason action next Sunday, Nov. 3 at the 2019 Big Ten Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
Both men's and women's sides traversed the 5k course at Hudson Mills MetroPark in the last meet of the regular season before championship season begins with the Big Ten Championships next week.
"I thought we performed really well with both groups – things that we've been working on all year; getting them to really by in and looking for someone to help," Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Walt Drenth said. "There was really strength in numbers, and I thought they did a really nice job of that on both teams. Our energy was outstanding; I thought the way we competed the entire race was good."
On the women's side, the Spartans had seven runners in the top-25 finishers. Freshman Katie Osika was the first Spartan across the line, turning in a career-best time of 17:35.0 for fifth-place. Junior Claire Kendall clocked in at 17:40.7 for seventh place, also with a career-best.
Freshman Karenna Duffey finished in 11th place with a career-best time of 18:06.4. Juniors Stephanie Vanis (14th – 18:17.1) and Kayla Wiitala (15th – 18:20.4), along with freshman Courtney Krupp (16th – 18:27.4) closed out the top 20 for Michigan State, crossing the line within a few seconds of each other.
Freshman Lidia Clarizio closed out the scoring for the Spartan women, turning in a time of 18:49.4 which was good for 25th place and a career-best.
"Throughout the year, the more they learn and the more they're able to apply what they've learned now to later is good and it's a sign of growth," Drenth said. "I was really pleased with our energy with both genders. They were engaged, excited to race. We train hard for a long time; the whole summer and all-year round and when they get a chance to compete it's important to them and I appreciate that."
For the Spartan men, four runners crossed the line consecutively. Junior Zac Wright-Fisher (15:30.8), freshman Brenden Allen (15:31.4), freshman Jack Huber (15:40.7) and junior Avery Felty (15:43.2) placed 11th through 14th, respectively.
Sophomore John Gove turned in a time of 15:52.9 for 17th place while freshman Jalen Smith posted a time of 16:01.8 for 21st place. Junior Luke Beauchamp closed out the scoring for the Spartans with a time of 16:16.4.
With the Spartan top runners not competing at this race, many of them made the trip to Eastern Michigan on Friday afternoon to support and cheer on their teammates as they took the course.
"We're as healthy as we've been all year. We had an outstanding practice yesterday, and we're wrapping up with a really good race today so I think we're in a really good place," Drenth said. "I'm pleased with where we're at, they're doing a lot of the right things. I expect that we'll continue to be good over the next few weeks."
UP NEXT: Michigan State cross country begins postseason action next Sunday, Nov. 3 at the 2019 Big Ten Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
Players Mentioned
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/ Cross Country
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/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
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