Marion, IN -- The trailblazer cross country teams took part in the Twilight Invitational at Indiana Wesleyan University, September 6, 2024. Ohio Christian joined 21 other schools in an 8-kilometer race for the men and a 6-kilometer race for the women.
The men's team needed to be faster than the 29 minute and 22 second team average standard. This was their first opportunity of the season to qualify having raced a 5-k in their opener. The men's team took advantage of this opportunity and averaged a time of 28:02, to secure their spot at nationals.
The men's team was led by Sr.
Corry Mientkiewicz who finished 65th, with a time of 26:33. His time also met the individual national qualifying standard of 28:01. The second blazer finisher was Sr.
Payton Herron who finished 152nd, in a time of 28:03. Third for the Trailblazers was Sr.
Jason Springer, who finished 158th, in 28:09. Next through the finish was Fr.
Jonah Kiess who finished 164th, in a time of 28:16. Rounding out the men's scorers was Graduate Student
Evan Caldwell who finished 202nd, in a time of 29:06. This was a personal best for Caldwell. Fr.
Baily Chabot finished 231st, in a time of 29:43. This was the first collegiate 8k for both Kiess and Chabot.
On the women's side So.
Paige Parker led the ladies' squad, finishing 61st, with a time of 25:01. This converts to running a 20:37 5k which betters the 20:42 NCCAA individual national championship standard. This was a personal record for Parker for the 6k distance. Not too far behind was Sr.
Lexie Engstrom and So.
Impreza Rogers who finished in 91st, and 92nd in times of 25:33 and 25:34. Finishing Fourth for the lady Trailblazers was So.
Abigail Kobs who finished 137th, in a time of 26:53. This was a personal record for Kobs in the 6k. Rounding out the women's scorers was Graduate Student Darcy Mitchell who finished 209th, in a time of 32:06. This was her Collegiate Debut. The women's team average missed qualifying for nationals as a team by 15 seconds.
These results will send the Men's team and Parker to the Division 1 NCCAA national championship in Warsaw, IN on November 15th. This will mark the 7th National Championship appearance for the men's team over the last 14 years.
Overall, the men finished 18th out of 22. The lady Blazers placed 16th out of 20. There were 278 men's finishers and 213 women's finishers.
The Trailblazers head to Gallatin, TN on September 20th for their next meet at Welch College.
