Evans, Rapson Qualify for National Meet

God provided a beautiful day at the Grinnell Golf and Country Club on Saturday!  The air was crisp and cool, the course was in good shape with rolling hills, and it was a great day for a run.

 

The women's race was a 6K length, which was challenging, but both senior Laura Beth Yuhnke and freshman Wendy Busenitz ran exceptionally well.  Wendy finished in a time of 24:48, and Laura Beth in 31 minutes even.  The men's race was the first 8K we've had this season, and presented the opportunity for the men to qualify for the National CC Meet in New York.  Sophomore Dewey Rapson had not been feeling well for a couple of days, including the morning of the race, but he still ran a great race and qualified for Nationals with a time of 31:23!  Freshman Corbin Evans ran a great race, and had a tremendous kick for the final half mile, pushing hard up the last hill to the finish line.  The clock read 33:59 as he crossed the finish line, which was rounded up to 34:00 for his official finishing time, which is the exact mark that is required in order to qualify for Nationals...he made it!  We now have 3 runners who have met the automatic qualifying time to compete in Houghton, New York in November, and Laura Beth will have an opportunity to qualify this coming weekend as she runs the 5K at the Viking Invitational.

 

We would love to have you all join us at Water Works Park in Des Moines at 5:00 for the start of the women's race this Friday evening 9/18.  We enjoy hearing shouts of encouragement as each one runs for the glory of God and we compete to do our best for Him!  Even if you can't make it to Friday's meet in person, please pray for the team that they would be safe and run well.

- Coach Long