Perhaps the best thing the Emporia State men’s cross country team can say about the Missouri Southern Stampede is that it is over.
The Hornets had a rough run — literally — on Saturday.
ESU suffered from bad luck, as another team’s runner was pushed into a pack of Hornets, knocking down four ESU runners and spiking two others.
“We were put into a hole to begin the race and tried to race back into it,” ESU coach Dave Harris said. “Considering the circumstances, I give the guys credit.”
The fall wasn’t ESU’s only misfortune.
The Hornets’ top two runners — Skyler Delmott and Brock Ternes — did not receive final times because of technical errors.
Thus, ESU’s 23rd-place finish turned out to not even be accurate.
“With all that happened, I was just glad to get the team back to Emporia,” Harris said. “There has got to be better days ahead for this team.”
Unofficially, Sloane Kern finished in 26:14, while Marcus Summers followed behind with a 26:24.
Eric Wellman (26:54) and Michael Stephens (26:59) were the next ESU finishers.
Rossbach takes a rest
On the women’s side, ESU placed 26th without All-American Jonel Rossbach, who sat out to rest.
“She is in a heavy training period, and I have wanted to keep her races down,” Harris said. “We felt that last year at outdoor Nationals in North Carolina she was a little tired from so many races. I also think it was good for our freshmen to just run without her. (It) gave them the responsibility for the team score.”
Chelsea Clanton paced ESU, taking 117th (19:43). Kathryn Davison (19:49), Morgan Frehe (19:49) Kylie Bookout (19:56) and Tiffany Baum (19:56) all finished in the top 130.
The Hornets will take part in their only home meet on Sept. 28, playing host to the ESU Invitational.
“Training takes on great importance these next two weeks in September,” Harris said. “This will be the highest volume of the season. I am looking forward to pushing our groups to make some progress before we line up at home.”
Missouri Southern Stampede
Saturday at Joplin, Mo.
ESU Individual Results
Women
117. Chelsea Clanton 19:43.00
121. Kathryn Davison 19:49.00
122. Morgan Frehe 19:49.00
129. Kylie Bookout 19:56.00
130. Tiffany Baum 19:56.00
216. Amy Craig 21:17.00
*Men
78. Sloane Kern 26:14.00
95. Marcus Summers 26:24.00
124. Eric Wellman 26:54.00
127. Michael Stephens 26:59.00
140. Cody Burns 27:20.00
* — ESU men’s results are not official. Skyler Delmott and Brock Ternes, ESU’s top two runners, did not receive times because of technical problems.