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Varsity Highlights
On an unusually warm October Tuesday afternoon, ten Pioneer runners stepped up to the start line on Saline’s home course. Pioneer was taking advantage of the long-standing tradition which allows up to ten runners (rather than seven) to compete in the second SEC Jamboree of the season. Despite two varsity runners not able to compete (Dan Culbertson still out with injury and Adam Kern with illness), the varsity team held their own on this notoriously difficult Mill Pond course.
Senior Charlie Cavell stayed with the top Saline runner until losing ground on the last killer hill. Finishing in 16:37, Charlie came in second. Great job! Sophomore Nick Kern was only a few seconds behind, in a time of 16:41. His third place finish was a full 10 seconds ahead of the fourth place finisher. Senior Captain David Cogswell had a great race, finishing in 17:15, placing him in 8th. Sophomore Nathan Karr showed his strength and determination, taking 10th place in a time of 17:19. Senior Captain Taylor DeLuca gutted it out for an 11th place finish (in a time of 17:20), fending off a Saline runner who tried to no avail to pass him. Senior Jonathan Henrichs pushed hard to leave three Huron runners behind him, finishing 14th in a time of 17:30. Sophomore Andy Sanz-Guerrero, running this course for the first time, finished in 17:51 for an 18th place finish. Junior David Wallington, not quite injury free, still managed a 21st place finish in 17:59. Senior Kinshuk Rajan gained valuable varsity experience, running on this difficult course, finishing in 28th place with a time of 18:31. Junior Neil Keicher competed for the first time as a varsity “A” runner in a time of 18:33 and a place of 29.
All in all, it was a great effort, with Pioneer coming in second, 6 points behind Saline.
Varsity Team Results
|
Place |
Team |
Points |
|
1st |
Saline |
28 |
|
2nd |
Pioneer |
34 |
|
3rd |
Huron |
68 |
|
4th |
Bedford |
100 |
Varsity Runners
|
Place |
Name |
Time |
|
|
2 |
Charlie |
Cavell |
16:37 |
|
|
3 |
Nick |
Kern |
16:41 |
|
|
8 |
David |
Cogswell |
17:15 |
|
|
10 |
Nate |
Karr |
17:19 |
|
|
11 |
Taylor |
DeLuca |
17:20 |
|
|
14 |
Jon |
Henrichs |
17:30 |
|
|
18 |
Andy |
Sanz-Guerrero |
17:51 |
|
|
21 |
David |
Wallington |
17:59 |
|
|
28 |
Kinshuk |
Rajan |
18:31 |
|
|
29 |
Neil |
Keicher |
18:33 |
|
Junior Varsity Highlights
With 2 regular Pioneer Varsity starters out of the lineup at a meet that demanded 10-man varsity squads, this JV race gave several Pioneers the opportunity to practice their race strategy and pacing by running near the front instead of getting stuck in the middle-of-the-pack traffic of a large race.
Sophomore Kevin Chaperon accomplished just that, knocking 7.8 seconds from his PR, one of only 2 Pioneers to PR on the muggy Tuesday evening. Kevin ran a great race, claiming the #2 finish spot, and clearly enjoying leading his fellow Pioneers, despite the effort required. Kevin is definitely one to watch this season as he begins to put the skills he’s learned into action.
Exchange student (junior) Robin Nitzer (18:50) ran a strong race not far behind the leaders, the second Pioneer to cross the finish line. What a valuable addition this young man has made to the Pioneer efforts this season! We hope Robin’s family & friends back home are celebrating his accomplishments, too.
First -year junior Julius Theophilus (19:08) finished in the next wave of runners; he has potential to be a strong asset in cross country, as well as on the track, as he adapts to the differences in strategies. First-year sophomore Joe Frakes (19:40), the fourth Pioneer to finish this race, continues to place well as he gets back into cross country after trying crew as a freshman, and sophomore Aaron Trierweiller (19:46) crossed the finish line a few seconds back. Freshman David Torres (19:58) continues to improve, setting a new PR by 12.4 seconds – congratulations!
Sophomore Michael Sullivant (20:14) out-kicked junior RJ Marable (20:15) in an exciting dash to the finish line; Aaron Kurz (20:22) and Caleb Fogel (20:23) also had a little competition going, and sophomore Jonathan Diep (20:26) wasn’t far behind. Sophomore Lucas Arias (20:42) and senior co-captain Jacob Whiten also came in at under 21 minutes. Sophomore Ben Aukerman (21:02) was just behind, followed by senior Chris Fortson (21:16).
Freshmen Gabe Crisman (22:31) and Noah Kaczor (22:55) gained more experience – and that killer hill on the Mill Pond course is quite an experience, isn’t it? Pioneer Cross Country welcomes exchange student Sebastian Ullrich (23:55) – this was Sebastian’s first race for Pioneer, and we wish him good luck for the remainder of the season, as well as an enjoyable year in Ann Arbor. Junior Manuel Akard (24:42) and sophomore Zack Keller (26:42) also completed this very challenging course.
JV Runners | 
