By Logan Jones
Asst. Sports Editor
In the first meet of the 2018 season, the Northwestern cross country team posted some impressive times at the Western Oklahoma Showcase.
The men finished in third, ahead of GAC opponent Southern Nazarene while the woman’s squad placed fifth, in front of Southwestern.
Newcomer Garrison Blanton had a top ten finish in the season opening meet as he crossed the finish line at the 20:56.71 mark.
NWOSU’s other men’s transfer, Bryce Koenig, finished in the 14th spot with a 21:33.41 time.
Noble Buckhaults, a native of Buffalo, Oklahoma, was the top freshmen finisher for the Ranger men with a time of 21:38.19, and Cody Schmidt set his first collegiate mark at 22:34.10.
Returner Tidimane Tumiso finished a second behind teammate Schmidt at 22:35.95.
In the women’s 4,000-meter race, a trio of Lady Rangers crossed the finish line together as senior Kayla Gourley (16:44.29), and a freshman duo of Ladasheray Bell (17:00.93) and Journey LeBeau (17.01.72) finished in consecutive order.
France native and newcomer to the NWOSU program Jessalyn Rivet had a time of 17.17.88.
Head Coach Jill Lancaster had nothing but praise for her young runners.
“The youthfulness of the program proves to be an opportunity we will be able to capitalize as experience grows,” Lancaster said.
Other Northwestern women finishers include: Claire Theis (17:34.07); Crystal Castillo (17:46.01); Kylee Isbell (17:54.54);
Camille Lear (17:59.62); Lashayla Green (19:13.80); Jean Dodds (21:13.30).
Even though this is just the first meet, Lancaster believes that both teams have more to prove.
“It’s unbelievable the depth we have packaged together,” said head coach Jill Lancaster on her reaction to the men’s race. “It leads us to believe we can do much more.”
Both cross country teams are set to travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where they will compete in the Chile Pepper Cross Country
Festival from Sept. 21-22.