October 30, 2009

RedStorm run well at Rio Red & White

Rio Grande ---The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's and women's cross country teams had a final tune-up before the Mid-South Conference Championships, set for next weekend, with the Rio Red & White Invitational on Friday afternoon at the Stanley Evans Field Cross Country Complex. 

All tolled four schools were represented, but Rio Grande was the only squad to furnish a full team in either race.

For the women, it was a tight race between by the trio of senior Stacey Arnett (Laurelville, OH), junior Cassie Mattia (West Chester, OH) and sophomore Kayla Renner (Galloway, OH). Arnett was the winner with Mattia and Renner right with her in the No. 2 and 3 spots respectively.

Sophomore Molly Roark (South Webster, OH) finished 4^th with freshman Holly Haines (McConnellsville, OH) and sophomore Danielle Stockham (London, OH) finishing 5^th and 6^th respectively. Junior Hillary Haines (McConnellsville, OH) finished 8^th overall.

Katelyn Minix of Pikeville College broke up the Rio pack by finishing 7^th.

There were 16 runners in the women's race that covered 3200 meters. No official times were recorded for the women's race.

Rio Grande head coach Bob Willey was pleased with his how his teams performed. "We're like all the other programs in the country, we're suffering from sickness, the flu has hit us pretty hard this week," he said. "Both teams performed very well today, they packed well in the women's race, very well in the men's race."

Willey talked about the key for the both teams in next week MSC Championships. "The key for us will be the four and five (runners), we've got to get four and five up a little closer to one, two and three," Willey said. "One, two and three are running very close together with the men and women, so that's very exciting."

"We had some outstanding performances today, it was a great day to be a runner, we'll take this one," he added. "We're just trying to get our legs underneath us and get ready for conference at Louisville next weekend. "

"It will be very good competition in the Mid-South," Willey said. "I'm happy with the performances today." 

The Mid-South Conference Meet will be next Saturday, November 7 beginning at 12:30 p.m.