Cross Country Opens 2016 Season with Solid Showing at Early Bird Invitational

The Leatherneck women swept the top three spots in the 4k Friday evening

WOMEN'S RESULTS
MEN'S RESULTS

PHOTO GALLERY

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2016 season as they played host to the 11th annual Early Bird Invitational. The women's team finished second overall with 43 points while the men finished third with 71.

"I think the girls did really well. Of the five that ran, three of them went one, two, three, so that's just really good," said cross country coach Mircea Bogdan. "We got the top three spots, so you can't ask for more. The attitude I saw with the women was really good, they were competitive and we have good premises for the meets to come."

The day was highlighted by Abigail Richter, Nicole Beebe and Madison Lefler sweeping the top three spots in the women's race. Richter claimed the top time of 14:55 in her Leatherneck debut for the 4k course, followed closely by Beebe in 14:58. Lefler, in her first race since the 2015 Summit League Championships, finished third in 15:04.

Other finishers for the Leathernecks included Stephanie Robles (18th, 16:21) and Jaclyn Finney (19^th, 16:29).

On the men's side, Grant Kaiser worked his way up to a fourth-place finish in the men's 6k, crossing the finish line in 19:15. Lucas Lingle was the next finisher for the Leathernecks, placing 9^th in 19:35. Four other Western men made their debuts for the Purple and Gold in Corey Thompsen (17^th, 19:58), Mark Kouchoukoss (19^th, 20:10), Keiffer Sexton (23^rd, 20:16) and Adam Brauer (26^th, 20:35).

"The men did okay. The race was different and went out really fast. The strategy was to hold back a little bit and wait for people to drop," added Bogdan. "I thought it was okay overall, in practice we have been looking solid. We weren't looking to peak today, but we are going to improve and that's what we want. We started out on the right foot and we have to keep building. I think this team has a lot of potential on both sides."

The women finished second only to Summit League foe Fort Wayne (36 points) and ahead of St. Ambrose (49 points). The men finished behind Augustana (29 points), Fort Wayne (52 points) and ahead of St. Ambrose (114 points).

Western returns to action next Friday, September 9, for the Illinois State Invitational in Normal, Ill. with action slated to begin at 4 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Jaclyn Finney: DISTANCE; Senior; Washington Community

Madison Lefler: DISTANCE; Senior; Canton

Nicole Beebe: DISTANCE; Freshman; Canton

Abigail Richter: DISTANCE; Freshman; Triad

Stephanie Robles: DISTANCE; Freshman; Belvidere North

Grant Kaiser: DISTANCE; Junior; Glenwood

Lucas Lingle: DISTANCE; Sophomore; Canton

Keiffer Sexton: DISTANCE; Freshman; Highland Community School

Corey Thompsen: DISTANCE; Junior; St. Joseph-Ogden / Danville Area CC

Players Mentioned

Jaclyn Finney
: Senior; Washington Community
: DISTANCE

Madison Lefler
: Senior; Canton
: DISTANCE

Nicole Beebe
: Freshman; Canton
: DISTANCE

Abigail Richter
: Freshman; Triad
: DISTANCE

Stephanie Robles
: Freshman; Belvidere North
: DISTANCE

Grant Kaiser
: Junior; Glenwood
: DISTANCE

Lucas Lingle
: Sophomore; Canton
: DISTANCE

Keiffer Sexton
: Freshman; Highland Community School
: DISTANCE

Corey Thompsen
: Junior; St. Joseph-Ogden / Danville Area CC
: DISTANCE