Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Jeff Drenth Memorial
Off And Running
9/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Nate Perry, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- With any sport, the season-opening contest is as much about evaluation and getting used to competition as anything else.
Such was the case Friday for the Central Michigan cross-country teams at the 31st Annual Jeff Drenth Memorial. The Chippewas squared off against Michigan State in a dual meet at Pleasant Hills Golf Course.
The race covered 5K rather than 6K for women, 8K for men, the typical distances in a regular-season event.
Kelly Schubert won the women's 5K race with a time of 17 minutes, 43 seconds, her first career win as a Chippewa.
"Being a fifth-year senior in my last home meet I'm happy with it, and happy with my teammates, they did pretty well too. Just really excited for the season," Schubert said.
"Schubert had a phenomenal race," coach Matt Kaczor said. "She stuck to the race plan, and she felt good the last kilometer and we let her go. Her summer training is showing right now and we're very impressed and very happy with where she's at."
CMU's Megan O'Neil finished fourth in the women's race at 18:05, while teammate Samantha Allmacher was 10th at 18:35. Both are sophomores. Junior Kirsten Olling, one of the Chippewas' top runners, did not race as she recovers from an injury.
Experienced returnees make up the top group for the women's team. According to Kaczor, the search for a solid fifth runner continues. Hannah Davis and Kelly McNeely who finished 15th and 19th, respectively, are two runners who could fit the bill.
"(Kelly) McNeely, that was her first race and she's a fifth-year (senior), so it tells you the long injury road that she's had," he said. "Hannah Davis has been really stepping up so she really is showing some promise for us as well."
Spencer Nousain was the top Chippewa on the men's side with an eighth-place finish and a time of 15:34. Junior Joseph Emmanuel came in 11th at 15:40, while freshman Bransen Stimpfel placed 15th, finishing at 15:55.
"I was very pleased with the way Spencer and Joseph stuck together, worked through the pack and did better than I was hoping," Kaczor said. "That bodes well for another 1-2 punch development for us since we lost our two big seniors (Nate Ghena, Silas Dekalita) from last year."
Logan Kleam, Conor Naughton and Mark Beckmann, three young Chippewa runners who competed unattached, finished fifth, seventh, and 10th, respectively, and shined some light on what could be yet to come.
"As a senior, you never want to lose to a freshman," Nousain said. "So it's nice to have some fast freshmen. They definitely push workouts and they definitely help the older guys out and we have a bright future in front of us so it's really exciting."
The Spartans won the team event in both genders, 20-38 on the men's side, and 23-37 on the women's.
Next for the Chippewas is the Michigan State Spartan Invitational in East Lansing on Sept. 16.
Players Mentioned
