Harriers record fast times in Louisville

By Joey Schwindt
Sports Writer

The LCC cross country teams raced at the Louisville Classic in Louisville, Ky. on Saturday, Oct. 5.

The LCC men competed in the 8K Blue Race, taking 16th place overall out of the 30 teams in the field. The field included several NCAA Division 1 schools.

This was the team’s best performance of the season from top to bottom to this point. All 15 of the LCC male runners ran personal- or season-best times.

“One of the things I am excited about is not just how our (top) guys are doing, but how the whole team is doing,” LCC Head Coach James Robinson said. “From our first guy to our last guy, we had huge improvement.”

LCC's Logan Zahn runs in the Louisville Classic. He led LCC in the 8K race.  Photo by Danny Smith

Freshman Logan Zahn and Jesse Carson led the way for the Stars, taking 34th and 64th place finishes with times of 25:39.2 and 26:02, respectively.

LCC freshman Aiden Janes, who finished 126th out of more than 330 runners, spoke about his strategy going into the race.

“I got out a little bit (fast) in the race because I felt like (that is) what I need to get prepared for nationals,” Janes said. “I was starting to feel tired around mile four, but I kept pushing through the pain and finished strong.”

On the women’s side, LCC raced in the 5K Silver Race, placing 15th overall out of 24 teams. The Stars were without their top runner, Daisy Speet, who did not compete due to an ankle injury.

Freshman Paige Kloha stepped up for LCC with an impressive 19th-place finish, boasting a time of 20:07.1.  

“I thought Kloha ran an outstanding race; by the time the women ran it was really hot and she still nearly ran her season-(best) time,” Coach Robinson said.

Other top finishers for the Stars were Lily Kogut and Faith Swenor, who placed 59th and 108th with times of 21:14.4 and 22:30.7, respectively.

“I was not too happy with my performance, but not every race day is a good day (and) that just comes with the sport,” Swenor said.

Optimism is high for Robinson and LCC cross country as the teams approach the final stretch of the season.

“Comparing where our teams are this year compared to last year's teams, we are in a really good position to finish well at our regional championship and our national championship (meet),” Robinson said.

Both teams look to continue running fast times at the Jayhawk Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 12 in Muskegon.