GOSHEN, Ind. (Complete Results) - For the first time since its inception in 2005, a pair of runners not wearing a Maple Leaf uniform won the title at the Goshen College Hokum Karem.
That fact, however, became simply a side note as a young and talented Goshen College cross country squad ran in its first event this weekend. A highly new-look roster debuted for the first time and showed a tremendous amount of potential.
The unique event pairs runners up as they take turns running one-mile lengths. In the women's event, each runner does three separate one-mile runs as the pairing totals 6 miles for the complete course.
Leading the way for the Maple Leafs was the pairing of senior Rachael Baker and freshman Karla Folker. The pair placed second overall with a time of 38:44.
"Baker and Folker had a very good run," Yoder said. "They battled for first place for two-thirds of the race and then settled into the second place slot."
Goshen also took fifth and sixth place as they tallied 13 points, just one point behind winner's Huntington University. Tina Peters and Michelle Miller came in at the No. 5 spot (41:16), while Alita Yoder and Hannah Bartel (41:26) were close behind.
"Our other runners also showed lots of promise," Yoder added. "I feel that we will have a great pack of runners that are close together in the three through seven positions. Hopefully we will continue to improve and move forward in our overall placings."
Complete Results
Team Scoring1. Huntington University - 12
2. Goshen College - 13
3. Trine University - 21
4. Bluffton University - INC
Goshen Pairings2. Karla Folker/ Rachael Baker - 38:44
5. Tina Peters/ Michelle Miller - 41:16
6. Alita Yoder/ Hannah Bartel - 41:26
11. Rachel Nafziger/ Maria Byler - 43:03
14. Lydia Alderfer/ Ellie Maloney - 46:59
15. Sarah Rutt/ Clara Sears - 51:33
