Cross country teams run at Lansing Community College Invitational

The Olivet College men's and women's cross country teams ran today at the Lansing Community College Invitational. The course was set-up at Grand Woods Park in Lansing. The men finished in ninth-place of 17 teams while the women were eighth of 15 teams.

Freshman Thomas Ray (Constantine) led the Comet men as he finished the 8K course 27:42. Freshman Justin Todd (Scotts/Climax-Scotts) was next at 28:08. Junior Derrick Bean (Quincy) clocked in at 30:01, followed by junior Jaysen Brandt (Sterling Heights/Henry Ford II) at 31:38, senior Mauricio Palli (Bloomingdale, Ill./Glenbard Twp.) at 31:45, freshman Matt Lusher (Carsonville/Port Sanilac) at 32:50 and sophomore Aaron Stewart (Dansville) in 36:19.

On the women's side, senior Andrea Szokola (Marlette) completed the 5K course in 20:36. Senior Rachel Strelecki (Stanford/Standish-Sterling) finished in 21:27. The next three Olivet runners -- junior Stephanie Pierce (Battle Creek/Harper Creek), senior Stephanie Green (Leroy/Pine River) and freshman Kayleigh Hamilton (Hudsonville) were separated by five seconds at 21:30, 21:32 and 21:35, respectively. Freshman Tera Bean (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) had a time of 22:12. Freshman Jessica Woods (Climax-Scotts) rounded out the Comets at 24:00.

Olivet will next competition at the Michigan Intercollegiate Championships Friday, Oct. 7. Oakland University hosts the meet, which features NCAA Division I, II and III as well as NAIA schools from the state of Michigan.