August 31, 2009

Tiger runners get off to fast start

With 11 runners finishing amongst the top-15 spots during the Cowley College Cross Country Invite held Friday at Camp Quaker Haven, the Tiger men’s cross country team finished first out of four teams.
“They ran together as a team, you could see a lot of teamwork out there,” Cowley head coach Vince DeGrado said.
Cowley finished with 26 team points, seven better than second place Butler Community College (33 points). Coffeyville and Cloud County Community College were the other teams at the meet.
Cowley sophomore, Dustin Mettler, showed why he is one of the top runners in the conference as he finished third in the 5K race with a time of 15:58.33. Butler Community College’s Joel Rop won the race with a time of 15:23.14, while the Grizzlies’ Jackson Toroitich placed second (15:27.96).
Right behind Mettler were teammates Josh Gracia, Brice Irving, and Phillip Banowetz, placing fourth through sixth, respectively.
“It was fun to see those guys up there,” DeGrado said. “I think Phillip is one of our most improved and most underrated runners.”
Fellow Tigers, Cianin Kutil, Isbek Salinas, Abdesalam Ali, T.J. Mapp, and Colin Jokisch nailed down spots eighth through 12, while Tyson Christensen and Thomas Kjerengtroeh placed 14th and 15th, respectively.
Alstin Benton (26th) and Kyle Swinicki (42nd) rounded out the Tiger runners at the meet.
Cowley will now prepare to compete at the Friends University Invitational held at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 11 at Lake Afton in Goddard. The meet will be an 8K (five-mile race).
“This will be a good introduction to an 8K race for everyone that runs,” DeGrado said. “A lot can happen in an extra two miles. It will be a competitive meet.”
Cowley results: (3) Dustin Mettler, 15:58.33; (4) Josh Gracia, 16:01.69; (5) Brice Irving, 16:07.69; (6) Phillip Banowetz, 16:10. 35; (8) Cianin Kutil, 16:25.14; (9) Isbek Salinas, 16:36.06; (10) Abde Ali, 16:37.70; (11) T.J. Mapp, 16:39.46; (12) Colin Jokisch, 16:46.60; (14) Tyson Christensen, 16:58.06, 14th; (15) Thomas Kjerengtroeh, 16:58.29; (26) Alstin Benton, 17:30.56; (42) Kyle Swinicki, 18:44.94.
Team scores: (1) Cowley 26; (2) Butler 33; (3) Coffeyville 91; (4) Cloud County 102.