Scots harriers Improve Times at Millikin Classic in Forsyth, IL

Release Date: October 17, 2001

The Monmouth College men’s and women’s cross country teams have shown steady improvement this season and proved it out by recording second (out of seven teams) and third place (out of nine) finishes, respectively, at the Millikin Cross Country Classic in Forsyth, Ill., on Oct. 12.

It was a case of something old, something new for the Scots, as senior Charlie Sunderlage (Sycamore, IL/Burlington Central) recorded his normal top finish for the men, placing fifth on the 5-mile course in 26:37.59, just .59 seconds off his season best. However, the women’s leader, for the first time this year, was junior Philicia Moredock (Peoria, IL/Notre Dame), who completed the 5K course in 20:44.94, shaving more than a minute off her previous fastest time of the year.

Rounding out the men’s field were Cory Shook (11th), who picked up the pace in the last two miles to run his best time this season (26:56.16), Matt Hargleroad (19th), David Dare (26th) and Frank Clark (28th). Although they didn’t score, juniors Bryan Bittner (Fairbury, IL/Prairie Central) and Aaron Calder (Henry, IL/Henry-Senachwine) and freshman Jamie Hopper (Sidney, IL/Tolono Unity) posted their best 8K times of the year, even though the 5-mile course meant they ran an extra 46 meters. Hopper’s time was nearly two minutes better than his previous PR while Calder improved his PR by over one minute.

The other top five women’s runners were Lindsey Whately (11th), Elizabeth Altekruse (19th), Tricia Wasson (32nd) and Jeana Fowler (34th). Wasson’s time (22:18.48) was also a season best. Wasson improved her PR by more than 30 seconds while Whately and McGee missed their best marks by two seconds and one second respectively.

"I was very pleased with the overall race that the men ran," said coach Roger Haynes. "I also think the women ran a nice race at Millikin. We are much improved from last year."

Haynes expected his teams to improve as the season progressed and they haven’t disappointed the veteran coach "Now we have to show some real confidence and put out our best performance when its needed in order to move up the conference ladder."

After competing in the Prairie Fire Open in Galesburg this weekend, the Scots will run at the MWC Championships in Grinnell, Iowa, on Oct. 27.