Bowling Green State University Athletics
Cross Country Competes at Roy Griak
September 24, 2006 | Men's Cross Country
Sept. 24, 2006
MINNEAPOLIOS - The men and women's cross country team traveled over 600 miles to compete at the 2006 Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn. The weather wasn't in their favor, as much of the day leading up to the competition was raining, creating a very muddy course come race day. The race featured many of the nations top cross country runners, including nine men's teams that were ranked by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as well as eight women's teams that were ranked. In the men's field of competition, of the top 50 runners at last year's men's NCAA Division I Championships, 30 of them returned for the 2006 season and ten of them were featured at the Griak Invite.
As for the Falcons, they were once again lead by junior Jamie Roflow and freshman Eddie Kipchoge. Roflow finished 49 of the 288 finishers in the women's 6,000-meter race while Kipchoge finished 34 out of 301 runners in the men's 8,000-meter race. Roflow's time of 22:31 currently ranks her 14 on the 6K All-Time list, and she also holds many other spots on the list as well. Her time also ranks her as the number two runner on the Griak course for the Falcons. Kipchoge finished as the number six runner in the region at the meet.
"Overall the meet went ok for us," said coach Cami Wells. "There were some positives and negatives. Both squads learned a lot about what it is like to race in such a big meet with some of the toughest competition in the nation."
"Eddie Kipchoge ran another strong race and got a taste of some great competition," said Wells.
Another highlight for the meet was the Falcons Kim Settle. Finishing 63 she set a 6K personal-best of 22:44, closing the gap between Roflow to 14 seconds, the best the Falcons number two runner has done in two years. She is currently ranked 18 on the BGSU All-Time list as well as fourth on the Griak course because of her performance.
"Jamie and Kim ran very well up front now we just need to continue to close the gaps between them which I am confident we can do," said Wells.
The third Falcon across the line was Stephanie Hillman with a time of 23:44. Next was Carly Bates, crossing in a time of 24:30, a 6K PR. Kara Butler followed with a time of 25:01. The seventh runner to cross the line for the Orange and Brown was Bridget Dalic in 25:08. Kylie Korsnack was the number six runner with a time of 25:19. The final Falcon was Andrea Pereira de Almeida in a time of 25:42, a 6K PR.
As for the men, four crossed the finish line for the team. Behind Kipchoge was Brad Wells in a time of 27:05. Edgar Ramirez was next and he crossed the line at 28:26. Kevin Kaighin was the final Falcon, crossing with a time of 29:36.
"The men's team was hit pretty hard by sickness this week, especially our number three runner, Rogers [Kipchumba]," said Wells. "I was hoping Kip [Kipchumba] would be feeling well enough to race and he tried but was unable to finish the race."
For both teams, the goal will be to close up the gaps between the runners and they will concentrate on that as they don't compete for two weeks. The Orange and Brown return to action Oct. 6 at the All-Ohio Championships in Delaware, Ohio on the campus of Ohio Weslyn. They'll get a chance to get to race against the best competition in Ohio as wells as some of the best in the Mid-American Conference.
