Cross Country Kicks Off Season at Michigan State’s Spartan Invitational

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Tech cross country teams opened the 2014 season at the Spartan Invitational on Friday (Sept. 12). The meet was held at Michigan State University's Forest Akers East Golf Course. Deedra Irwin and Sean Pengelly both had top 30 finishes for the Huskies.

"I think it was a pretty good season opener for us today," Tech coach Joe Haggenmiller said. "Sean and Deedra really got after it today against a pretty tough field.

"We had a lot of athletes down here running, and it was good to get some experience under everyone's belt."

Irwin finished 23rd overall in 22:25. She was the ninth GLIAC runner to cross the 6-kilometer finish line. Elise Dombkowski (112th/24:20) and Liz Bloch (114th/24:24) finished together while Emily Vigil (153rd/25:03) and Sophia Farquhar (156th/25:05) also placed in the top 160.

"Our group of freshman did pretty well behind Deedra on the women's side," said Haggenmiller. "We're excited about were Elise, Liz, Emily and Sophia were."

Also racing for the Huskies were Amber Peabody (179th/25:34), Robin Jackson (189th/25:42), Anna-Catharina Wilhelm (193rd/25:44), Jess Gering (206), Cassie Gietek (258th), Carly Joseph (263rd), and Abby Nieskes (270th)

Pengelly paced the men's team with a 29th place finish. He ran the 8K course in 25:26. Calvin Nitz (101nd/26:37), Jason Saliga (117th/26:45), Daniel Byrne (125th/26:53), and Daniel Kulas (132nd/26:58) were the other top five runners for the Huskies.

"Calvin and Jason both had good days and were close to personal bests," added Haggenmiller. "I also felt that Dan Byrne and Dan Kulas had a breakout races for themselves."

Corey Zeutzius (185th/27:50) and Marcus Shamberg (196th/28:01) also placed in the top 200.

Grant Brown (201st), Chad Pollock (202nd), Ethan Norstog (212th), Nathan LaBarge (228th), Mark Hallman (252nd), Derek Brandt (257th), Cory Burkwald (261st), Michael Bartkowiak (270th), Tristan Kolb (300th), Alex Gietek (332nd), Chris Winslow (334th), and Kyle Lawton (346th) also raced for the Black and Gold.

The Huskies head to Northfield, Minnesota next weekend (Sept. 20) to race at the St. Olaf Invitational.