The 2008 cross country season is in full stride. During the third weekend of competition, there were numerous meets across the nation in which DII teams contributed to the competiveness of the fields. The results of these meets will change the national and regional rankings. As usual, I encourage readers to comment.  After all, Flotrack is a community!

Memphis Twilight Classic- This late night race (women at 8:40pm and men at 9:20pm) was a test for the southeast teams. (You can watch coverage of the race here on Flotrack.)  In the women’s 5k, the first DII finisher was Harding’s Ryspher Sirma, who placed 24^th (19:26.78 ) in the mostly DI field. Harding finished 8^th overall (240 points), one place ahead of University of Alabama Huntsville (266 points). Christian Brothers finished 33th overall (909 points).

            In the men’s 8k, Harding’s Daniel Kirwa repeated as the winner with a time of 24:08.52. His teammates Julius Kosgei (25:10.84) and Wojciech Kopec (25:23.74) finished 4^th and 6^th respectively, leading their team to the overall title (38 points). University of Alabama Huntsville finished 7^th overall with 215 points. Christian Brothers finished 9^th overall (266 points)

Aztec Cross Country- The California teams had a state showdown this weekend. Chico was the top DII finisher on both the men’s and women’s side. On the women’s side, they were lead by Shannon MC Vannel who ran the 5k course in 18:49 and was 33^rd overall. University of California- San Diego had the highest DII finisher with Bre Schofield who came in 7^th overall with a time of 18:02.  Chico’s women finished 11^th overall with 244 points. University of California-San Diego finished 15^th overall with 326 points.

            Chico State’s Brendan Scanlon was the top DII finisher and 12^th overall, covering the 8k course in 25:16. Chico State’s men finished 5^th overall with 135 points. University of California-San Diego finished 10^th overall with 292 points.

Apple Ridge Run- This invitational was a preview race for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, as six of the nine GNAC teams competed. (Video can be found for the men's and women's race on Flotrack). Western Washington’s Sarah Porter finished first covering the 6k course in 22:21. She was followed by Saint Martin’s Joscelyn Minton (23:46) and Central Washington’s Marcie Mullen (23:49). Western Washington won the women’s team competition with 43 points, followed by Northwest Nazarene (66) and Seattle Pacific (82).

            In the men’s 8k race, Saint Martin’s John Riak finished first covering the 8k course in 25:52. Riak was followed by teammate, Josiah Price (26:21), and Western Washington’s Bennett Grimes (26:33). Western Washington won the men’s competition with 36 points followed by Saint Martin’s (56) and Northwest Nazarene (89).

Wingate University Invitational- This race marked the Southeast Pre-Regional course. On the women’s side, Clayton State’s Allison Kreutzer finished first covering the 6k course in 24:03.  Kreutzer was followed by Coker College’s Kendyl Seawright (25:01) and Augusta State’s Jenafer Forward (25:05). Augusta State took the women’s title with 37 points, an 87 point victory over Wingate (112) and Georgia College and State (133).

            Wingate’s Jayce Watson won the men’s race covering the 9.7k (due to construction) course in 32:48. The Second place finisher, Clayton State’s Fidelis Mutiso, was only a step behind, running a time of 32:48.6. Erskine College’s Adam Groblewski was third in 33:07. In the men’s team title, Clayton State finished first with 34 points followed by Mars Hill (64) and Wingate (69).