Women Harriers Capture Best Finish of Year at Wisconsin Lutheran Invite
Oct 4, 2014
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The University of Dubuque women’s cross country team placed second at the Wisconsin Lutheran Warrior Invitational in highest finish of the year. Fabiola Ortiz set a personal record and led the Spartans with a 3rd place overall finish in 23:05 on a slower, more challenging 6k course.
The Spartan women finished with 60 points overall and trailed the winner, Trinity Christian, by just eight total points in the 14 team meet.
Senior Rachel Busjahn made her presence known as she returned from injury and provided a much-needed boost with a 17th place finish in a time of 25:21.
“It was wonderful to have one of our senior leaders back competing today. Her (Busjahn) positivity is infectious and that was wonderful to see again,” stated assistant coach Geoff Gundlach on her impact.
Busjahn’s return aided a team effort that helped guide No. 3 runner Kiersten Wenthold to a big personal record of 25:16, good for 11th overall. Senior Brenda Nava finished one spot ahead of Wenthold with a 12th place finish and 25:03 time. And rounding out the top-5 scorers was the third and final senior, Sam Holen (21st, 25:53).
A pair of freshman, Skylar Brooks (25th, 26:00) and Kristin Mackenburg (30th, 26:32) completed the Spartan Varsity.
With Busjahn back the Spartans show a lot of promise heading into the backstretch.
“With freshman Sybbie Sears back in hopefully two weeks time, our conference team can really be formidable this year,” said Gundlach.
The much improved Spartans will be put to the test in their next meet, the Loras Dr. Tucker Invite, on October 17th at 4:30 pm.
