SWCC’s McCann takes third at Coe meet
CEDAR RAPIDS — Sophomore Kalli McCann of Osceola placed third individually in a stacked field of four-year college runners to lead Southwestern at the Lamb KoHawk Invitational last weekend.
On a cold, windy morning the Spartan women ran an extra 1,000 meters from the usual distance and McCann covered the 6K distance in 23:54.7 for a 6:25 per-mile pace. She broke up a string of Cornell College runners, taking six of the top seven spots in dominating the team race with 18 points.
“Kalli is running well,” SWCC coach Bill Huntington said. “We are excited about that race. Cornell, Simpson and Coe have some great programs now. For Kalli to be up there with those runners is great. As a team we were able to finish ahead of DMACC.”
It was a good day all around for the Spartans from a performance standpoint. Twelve Spartan runners set all-time personal records for the distance they ran Saturday (8K for men).
Also, to help raise awareness for breast cancer awareness month, each of the Spartan women ran with pink ribbons attached to their uniforms.
“I was really pleased with how the young ladies ran,” Huntington said. “I was especially touched by the ribbons. Having lost my mom to breast cancer, that meant a lot to me.”
Regina Hafner, sophomore from Panora, was the next highest female finisher for SWCC in 19th in a time of 25:50.6.
The men’s race featured an incredible duel among two Spartans. Auston Carter, freshman from Coon Rapids, rallied late to nip teammate Gage Beers of Osceola for 20th place in 28:05.2. Beers’ official time was 28:05.5.
“I don’t know how they chose between the two, it was that close,” said Huntington, chuckling. “Gage led him the whole way, and probably had a 200-meter lead with a mile and a half left. Auston just closed like a bear. To see two freshmen running like that was exciting.”
The men placed fifth and competed well despite the loss of usual scoring runner Nic Bacus, who pulled out after three miles with a nagging injury. And, another Spartan overcame adversity to run a personal best time.
“Rayvonne Brown had one shoe come loose, and at the 5K mark we saw it and I think he heard someone say to lose them both,” Huntington said. “So, he slowed down and threw them both off, and ran his best time by a minute running 1.9 miles bare-foot!”
Southwestern ventures to Illinois this weekend to compete in the Sauk Valley Invitational, which is about “50-50” according to Huntington, in its makeup of four-year colleges and community college programs.
LAMB KOHAWK INVITATIONAL
WOMEN’S TEAM SCORES
1. Cornell College 18; 2. Simpson College 64; 3. Coe College 102; 4. Coe Alumni 107; 5. Southwestern Community College 116; 6. Des Moines Area Community College 146.
INDIVIDUAL 6K RESULTS
Leaders — 1. Leslie Smebak, Cornell, 22:58.7; 2. Laura Ettlin, Cornell, 23:08.0; 3. Kalli McCann, SWCC, 23:54.7; 4. Maria Helgeson, Cornell, 24:10.7; 5. Sam Martinez, Cornell, 24:11.2; 6. Kristen Fernandez-Kong, Cornell, 24:11.6; 7. Hannah Garvey, Cornell, 24:20.3; 8. Lindsey Borgomainerio, Simpson, 24:27.1; 9. Jessie Clark, Coe Alumni, 24:41.2; 10. Kirstin Franklin, Coe, 24:43.9.
SWCC — 3. Kalli McCann, 23.54.7; 19. Regina Hafner, 25:50.6; 23. Delaney Turner, 26:22.4; 34. Kristin Kocksiem, 29:52.4; 37. Brei Theisen, 33:12.1.
MEN’S TEAM SCORES
1. Simpson College 33; 2. Cornell College 40; 3. Coe College 78; 4. Coe Alumni 106; 5. Southwestern Community College 120.
INDIVIDUAL 8K RESULTS
Leaders — 1. Andrew Dewar, Coe, 25:50.5; 2. Drew Burmahl, Luther Alumni, 25:51; 3. Jake Sutton, Simpson, 26:09.9; 4. Joe Farrand, Simpson, 26:13.3; 5. Andy Sabin, Loras Alumni, 26:33.1; 6. Mike Kelso, Cornell, 26:39.9; 7. Austin Tegels, Luther Alumni, 26:50.0; 8. Jordan Kemme, Cornell, 26:54.1; 9. Ryan Schroeder, Coe, 26:54.5; 10. Nick Yaeger, Simpson, 26:54.9.
SWCC — 20. Austin Carter, 28:05.2; 21. Gage Beers, 28:05.5; 24. Dave Prchal, 28:23.3; 25. Rayvonne Brown, 28:56.8; 30. Josh Cobb, 30:10.3; 31. Brandon Bergren, 30:20.5; 32. Adam Pool, 31:00.2.
