Friday, August 30
Shepherd, Mich.
11:30 a.m.
Central Michigan University
vs
39th Annual Jeff Drenth Memorial
Photo by: Sydney Kline '26 - @sydney.kline.photography
Newcombe, CMU Women win 39th Annual Jeff Drenth Memorial 5k; Men 2nd of 7
8/30/2024 6:37:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
2024 Drenth Women's Team Results2024 Drenth Overall Results2024 Drenth Men's Team ResultsPhoto GalleryPhoto Gallery 2
Seven seniors were honored at the conclusion of the meet for program contributions
SHEPHERD, Mich. — Central Michigan Cross Country opened its 2024 slate on Friday at the Chippewas' 39th Annual Jeff Drenth Memorial 5k at Shepherd High School, which resulted in a team win for the women and a special moment for Natalie Newcombe on senior day.
Newcombe, who is entering her fifth season with CMU, won the women's race in 17:03.05 – the second fastest 5k in CMU Women's Cross Country history.
"When Natalie decided to come back for a fifth year, we knew that she was going to make it worth it," said Director of Cross Country/Track and Field Jenny Swieton. "When we started practicing together and her and Emily (Paupore) were running stride-for-stride, we knew something was coming.
"My favorite thing about it is, she's having fun, she's enjoying it, and she's more confident than she's ever been. When you're having fun and you're confident, that's when big things happen."
The Chippewas celebrated their seven seniors at the end of the meet, comprising of Newcombe, Paupore, Jelena Prescott, Annie Bennett, Amelia Gouin, Carson White and Steven Porter. Newcombe and Prescott were both honored as seniors in 2023, but decided to return for their final season of eligibility.
"I think the senior leadership this year is the best I've ever seen it," Swieton said. "Watching it play out with our older teammates and our freshmen, how they've taken them under their wing, is great.
"This is the year that we're going to be right where we want to be team dynamic-wise and support-wise. When you can be there, then all the other stuff kind of comes."
The women's team finished 1st of 7 competing teams, with five Chippewas claiming spots in the top ten finishes. Alongside Newcombe, Jessie Gibbins finished 4th, Prescott finished 7th, Kate Jenkins finished 9th and Emma Janesak finished 10th.
The men finished 2nd of 6, with Jason Fredricks leading CMU in 11th. Nick Cockerel, a transfer from Colorado Mesa, finished 13th. White finished 14th, followed by Greg Janesak in 17th.
"Today makes me really grateful to be able to coach these kids, Swieton said. "So many of them —even the freshmen — went out and were fearless, competed with everything that they had today for themselves and each other. I think it paid off, some really big things happened."
13 CMU student-athletes ran personal bests; Cockerel, Fredricks, White, Newcombe, Gibbins, Jenkins, Janesak, Emma Netzel, Mara Szuper, Chesney Wilke, Clay Kuiper, Aiden Smith and Hong Bing Tang.
Additionally, twelve Chippewa runners ran in their first collegiate race; Greg Janesak, Joanna Kelley, Ava Teed, Nikki Carothers, Logan Brazee, Olivia East (unattached), Lois Creasey, Miranda McNeil, Braydee Elling, Lexi Hurst, Miciah Smith and Andrew Floros.
"Regardless of if our teammates were really happy with their race or not happy, it was a huge step forward," said Swieton. "For the people that are happy with their race, it makes them excited to keep on racing and for the people that weren't as happy with it know what they need to do next.
"They know that they'll get there, and nobody is down in the dumps. Everyone knows that we will be there when we need to be.
"I'm really grateful to coach this team, both the men and the women. I think everyone is willing to lay it out on the line for each other and it's pretty awesome to have."
The Chippewas return to action on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Michigan State Spartan Invitational in East Lansing.
Newcombe, who is entering her fifth season with CMU, won the women's race in 17:03.05 – the second fastest 5k in CMU Women's Cross Country history.
"When Natalie decided to come back for a fifth year, we knew that she was going to make it worth it," said Director of Cross Country/Track and Field Jenny Swieton. "When we started practicing together and her and Emily (Paupore) were running stride-for-stride, we knew something was coming.
"My favorite thing about it is, she's having fun, she's enjoying it, and she's more confident than she's ever been. When you're having fun and you're confident, that's when big things happen."
The Chippewas celebrated their seven seniors at the end of the meet, comprising of Newcombe, Paupore, Jelena Prescott, Annie Bennett, Amelia Gouin, Carson White and Steven Porter. Newcombe and Prescott were both honored as seniors in 2023, but decided to return for their final season of eligibility.
"I think the senior leadership this year is the best I've ever seen it," Swieton said. "Watching it play out with our older teammates and our freshmen, how they've taken them under their wing, is great.
"This is the year that we're going to be right where we want to be team dynamic-wise and support-wise. When you can be there, then all the other stuff kind of comes."
The women's team finished 1st of 7 competing teams, with five Chippewas claiming spots in the top ten finishes. Alongside Newcombe, Jessie Gibbins finished 4th, Prescott finished 7th, Kate Jenkins finished 9th and Emma Janesak finished 10th.
The men finished 2nd of 6, with Jason Fredricks leading CMU in 11th. Nick Cockerel, a transfer from Colorado Mesa, finished 13th. White finished 14th, followed by Greg Janesak in 17th.
"Today makes me really grateful to be able to coach these kids, Swieton said. "So many of them —even the freshmen — went out and were fearless, competed with everything that they had today for themselves and each other. I think it paid off, some really big things happened."
13 CMU student-athletes ran personal bests; Cockerel, Fredricks, White, Newcombe, Gibbins, Jenkins, Janesak, Emma Netzel, Mara Szuper, Chesney Wilke, Clay Kuiper, Aiden Smith and Hong Bing Tang.
Additionally, twelve Chippewa runners ran in their first collegiate race; Greg Janesak, Joanna Kelley, Ava Teed, Nikki Carothers, Logan Brazee, Olivia East (unattached), Lois Creasey, Miranda McNeil, Braydee Elling, Lexi Hurst, Miciah Smith and Andrew Floros.
"Regardless of if our teammates were really happy with their race or not happy, it was a huge step forward," said Swieton. "For the people that are happy with their race, it makes them excited to keep on racing and for the people that weren't as happy with it know what they need to do next.
"They know that they'll get there, and nobody is down in the dumps. Everyone knows that we will be there when we need to be.
"I'm really grateful to coach this team, both the men and the women. I think everyone is willing to lay it out on the line for each other and it's pretty awesome to have."
The Chippewas return to action on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Michigan State Spartan Invitational in East Lansing.
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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