Varsity Highlights

On a warm sunny evening that felt like summer, the Pioneer Men’s Cross Country Team came out to compete in the first Jamboree of the year, winning with a total of 29 points.  Bedford took second with 78 and Saline third with 81 points.

The course, which zigged and zagged in some M-shaped loops around the park, was mostly flat with the exception of one giant mound to be scaled and descended twice.  At the peak was a blow-up spirit-wear tunnel, the only shade for the entire race.. The men’s varsity team ran in a close pack at the front for much of the distance.  There was a cluster of red singlets early on, with Bedford’s guys teaming up.  Nathan Karr, Nick Kern and Adam Kern were right up there with them, and after the second loop, took the lead away from the lads in other colors. Nathan then put a little sprint on for a fast finish and won the race in 15:47.9.  Nick zoomed into third place with a finish of 15:53, and Adam was soon crossing the line at seventh in 16:08.  Muhammad Sani, running with the varsity guys for the first time, had a super performance with an eighth place finish and a 16:32 time.  Andy Sanz-Guerrero filled out the rest of the top ten with a time of 16:36. Andy, Muhammad, and Sebastian worked together well during the first half of the race.  Just a tremendous job, Pioneer men!  

Although the next two runners didn’t score at today’s meet, they performed well and there was a bit of drama at the end.  Sebastian Ag had a very solid run, the top 10-15 spots well within his grasp, when the heat overcame him, and he stopped short of the finish line.  Sebastian pulled himself together enough to keep running to the end, what a valiant effort, Sebastian!  He was passed by a couple of guys, yet still captured a quick time of 17:11 and a 17th place.  Wow!  Joe Frakes, struggling in the first mile with a sore knee, ran through the pain and came in 26th with a respectable time of 17:32.  Joe will be looking to better that time in his next tour on the 5k course.  Stay healthy, Joe!

Click here for MLive report on the SEC Jamboree #1.