Upland, IN – The Grace Christian University Cross Country teams had a big day on Friday at Taylor University’s Ray Bullock Invitational. The team had a three week break from racing filled with some difficult practices and higher mileage. As a result, the Tigers responded well to the training despite the temperatures at the meet soaring close to 80℉. Where other teams saw runners struggling, even not finishing the race, Grace saw all but one of their runners on both the men’s and women’s side run season personal bests in their respective distances.
Women’s Cross Country 6K Race
For the women’s 6k race, Sayla Bender (Kingsley, MI) once again led the Tigers. She dropped 41 seconds off of her previous time, resulting in a new lifetime personal record of 28:07. Aura Fleis (Republic, MI) saw a similar drop in her all-time record time. She ran 32 seconds faster, setting a new personal record (PR) of 31:28. Sophomore Grace Salminen (Traverse City, MI) improved by an amazing 3 minutes in the 6k on Friday. She crossed the finish line in 33:45 and, not to be out done, freshman Abigail Leon (Orlando, FL) dropped a minute and twenty seconds off of her lifetime PR, ending in a time of 37:31.
Men’s Cross Country 8K Race
For the men’s 8k, Ian Hinkle (Grand Ledge, MI) roared to life with a big race. Hinkle set a new season best time of 29:39. This was only 15 seconds off of his lifetime PR and especially impressive under less than ideal racing temperatures. Jude Vargo (Penn Hills, PA) ran a strong race. Although it wasn’t the time he was looking for, he still crossed the line with a solid season best result of 38:40.
Next up for the Tigers Cross Country squads is a meet in Muskegon, MI. It is this coming Saturday, October 17 at University Park Golf Course. The men will run first on Saturday with the 8k starting at noon, with the women’s 5k to follow at 1 PM. This will be the last regular season meet for Grace before heading out to Minnesota for Regionals the following weekend.
Learn more about Grace Cross Country at gracetigers.com.
