Men's Cross Country Wins Chris Yanni Laker Invitational At LSSU

SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. – The Northwood University cross country teams traveled to Lake Superior State for the Chris Yanni Laker Invitational Saturday (September 12).

With 28 points, the men's team was the overall winner in the men's 8k led by senior Sammy Tanui (Eldoret, Kenya) who turned in a stellar performance with a time of 26:23.78 for a second place finish. Also competing in the meet were Lake Superior State (50), Muskegon CC (107), Alpena CC (142), NMU Club Cross Country (160) and Sault College (178). Following close behind Tanui were Matt Dippel (Kentwood, Mich. / Kentwood) [5th - 27:04.02], Will Moench (Holland, Mich. / West Ottawa) [6th - 27:04.53], Michael Todd (Mt. Pleasant, Mich. / Mt. Pleasant) [7th - 27:07.52] and Josh Plishke [8th - 27:13.59]. Senior Nick Kaufmann (Hemlock, Mich. / Hemlock) finished 17th at 27:55.60, while Tyler Harris ran 28:15.15 for 20th place finish. Also competing for the Timberwolves were Caleb Barker and Nathan Yax (Freeland, Mich. / Freeland).

On the women's side, the Timberwolves finish third in the 5k with 63 points behind Northern Michigan (21) and Lake Superior State (59). Leading the way for NU was senior Jenny Frantz(Ovid, Mich. / Ovid-Elsie) who finished fourth at 19:20.81, followed close behind by Jennifer McKenna (Orchard Lake, Mich. / Walled Lake Northern) for a sixth place finish clocking 19:30.80. Sophomore Emily Murdoch (Dewitt, Mich. / Dewitt) and senior Chloe Thiel (Plainwell, Mich. / Plainwell) earned a 16th and 17th place finish at 20:29.60 and 20:32.17, respectively. Also competing for the Timberwolves were Julia Cherwinski (Saginaw, Mich. / Heritage) and Jacqueline Reneaud(Goodrich, Mich. / Goodrich).

The cross country teams will be back on the road next weekend, traveling to the Michigan State University Spartan Invite in East Lansing, Mich. (September 18)