Bethel Hosts Cross-Country Invitational
Bethel Hosts Cross Country Invitational The men's and women's cross-country teams compete on campus; the men place seventh, with the women missing out on a placement.
Bethel College had the opportunity to host an invitational event on campus on Saturday, Sept. 13. The men were the first to start that morning, with the weather being mild. They ran eight kilometers, or 4.97 miles. The first to finish for Bethel was Marcus Fielder, a junior from Newton, placing 15th. Fielder ran an impressive 27:38:55, and this was his response to his performance after the race:
“I felt pretty good. I don’t necessarily care about the place. But I had a good time for the beginning of the year.”
Not long after Fielder finished, the junior from Dodge City, David Ulteras, placed 21st, being the second Bethel runner to finish the race. Third to finish for Bethel was Asa Johnson, a freshman, placing 31st.
“I did all right. But it’s a tough course, and it’s hot outside. The top runners are running a minute or two slower than their PR (personal record). I’m pretty proud of myself," said Ulteras.
The Bethel men finished seventh as a team. However, on the women’s side, they were prepared to run a five-kilometer race, or 3.11 miles, with Bethany Schrag leading the Bethel team throughout the race, while Adah Hodge and Emma Graber kept close. Finishing in that order, Schrag placed 28th, Hodge placed 33rd, and Graber placed 37th.
“I did okay because of the conditions. But it’s a good course; it’s pretty fun. So overall, pretty good.” Schrag said, “My plan was to try to get under 21. I did not quite do that, but the biggest goal when running a race is making it through.”
Schrag finished with a time of 21:25:90, falling short of her goal by less than 30 seconds. Once the scores were released, the Thresher women, unfortunately, did not place. Both cross-country teams will return on Oct. 3, when they travel to Chanute, competing in the Neosho County Community College invite, beginning at 5 p.m.