Sept. 23, 2006

Berry highlights cross country action

ST. PAUL , MINN. -At one of the largest cross country meets in the nation, Central College freshman Angie Berry (Norwalk) had a breakthrough race, finishing seventh overall in the women's Maroon Div. III race at the Roy Griak Invitational Saturday.

Berry 's effort of 23:42 placed her first among Iowa Conference competitors in the field of 395 runners. Jess Clark (sophomore, Port Byron, Ill., Riverdale HS) finished 45th (24:52) with Amber Mayer (freshman, Essex, Shenandoah HS) a few steps behind in 46th (24:53). Jenni Hufford (freshman, Ankeny) and Amy Ledvina (freshman, Toledo , South Tama HS) were 88th (25:43) and 89th (25:44), Nicki Thomas (sophomore, Omaha , Neb., Millard North HS) was 91st, and Leanne Townsend (senior, Perry) finished 116th (26:15). The women's team finished ninth among 32 teams with 275 points. Carleton (Minn.) won the women's competition with 114 points.

"Angie ( Berry ) has established herself as one of the top runners in the Iowa Conference," said coach Jeff Bovee. "This race says a lot about her potential. She demonstrated a lot of patience today."

That patience was needed. Rolling hills coupled with wet conditions produced slow times for all the competitors.

"It was a sloppy, rain-soaked course today, but provided for a true cross country experience," said Bovee. "It was a real Midwestern-style race."

Adam Wolf (senior, Corning) led the men's team again, finishing 45th (27:01) in the men's Maroon Div. II and III race in a field of 500 runners. Joe Jefferson (senior, Decorah) was 126th (28:00), Brett Jones (senior, Knoxville) was 170th (28:21), Teddy Clark (sophomore, Oswego, Ill.) was 184th (28:30), Jaron Byrum (sophomore, Mount Union , New London HS) was 200th (28:42), Brian Respeliers (senior, Council Bluffs , St. Albert HS) was 209th (28:47), and Pierre Taylor (freshman, Oswego, Ill.) finished in 216th (28:57). The men's team was 26th out of 52 teams with 725 points. Concordia (Calf.) won the men's competition with 46 points.

"We're still looking for two or three guys to step it up and bridge that gap from our one to two runners," said Bovee. "We see a lot more potential there. With 52 teams, this is the most highly competitive regular season meet in the whole country. It was a good meet to gauge where we are, make adjustments, and get better."

This meet marked Bovee's last competition as head coach.

"I've loved my time at Central and I've thoroughly enjoyed working with all the student-athletes. I know that they are going to attain all their goals."

Both squads are off until the Dan Huston Invitational Oct. 7 in Waverly.