This past Friday (9/27), St. Charles Community College competed in their first full distance cross country meet at the H.W. Wright Classic in Decatur, IL, hosted by Millikin University. After a couple of weeks without racing, the Cougars were ready to go up against 11 other teams. The men competed in the 8-kilometer race, and the women contested the 6-kilometer race.
On the men's side, Sophomore Edwin Kipainoi led the team to a 7th place finish by taking 5th individually in a field of 91 runners. Edwin completed his 8-kilometer race in a time of 27:55. This performance was enough to earn Edwin the honor of NJCAA Division III Athlete of the Week. This is the first time a student-athlete from St. Charles Community College has ever earned this award from the USTFCCCA. Edwin was nearly 40 seconds ahead of the closest junior college competitor. Freshman Ethan Lobdell came through with a 52nd place finish in a time of 32:12.
Stephanie Cunningham was the sole finisher on the women's side with a time of 43:05.
The Cougars are back in action this Friday (10/4) at the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational in Rock Island, IL, hosted by Augustana College. The women's 6k race will start at 3:00PM, and the men's 8k will follow at 3:45PM.