Men’s Cross Country Places 14th at the NJCAA Championships

The Jayhawk men’s cross country team took 14th place at the NJCAA National Championships held at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Saturday, Nov. 9. Cold and windy conditions didn’t keep the Jayhawk men from their highest national meet finish since the cross country program was restarted in 2010.

There were 39 full teams that competed at the national meet along with several individuals that qualified. Leading the way was freshman Esrom Woldemichael (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview HS) taking 43rd place out of 298 finishers with a time of 26:48. Rounding out the top 7 were: freshman Jacob Baker (Muskegon, MI//Mona Shores HS) 90th place, sophomore Alex Drew (Coopersville, MI/Coopersville HS) 98th place, sophomore Mathias Waterstradt (North Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS) 110th place, sophomore David VanBergen (Fruitport, MI/Fruitport HS) 157th place, freshman Cameron Kroening (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS) 187th place, and freshman Austin Elliott (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake HS) 207th place.

“I thought our team showed a lot of heart during this race,” said Assistant Coach Scott Barnes. “The last month we have battled a lot of injuries and sickness and for us to come out of this 14th is great. We are very proud of our guys. A huge key to our success today was the way Captain David VanBergen stepped up. He came in as our 5th guy and without him coming through for us; we wouldn’t have had as well of a finish.”

Men’s Cross Country Finish Best Ever

The Jayhawk men were only 19 points from earning 2nd place in the region. Top team places were: #9 Lansing CC with 51 pts., #16 Mott CC with 84 pts., #19 Vincennes CC, Ind. with 85 pts., #17 Muskegon CC with 103 pts., #23 Macomb CC with 111 pts., Jackson CC with 159 pts., Oakland CC with 164 pts., Alpena CC with 182 pts., Lorain County CC with 216 pts., Schoolcraft CC with 271 pts., Glen Oaks CC with 306 pts., Kirtland CC DNF

Leading the way for the Jayhawk men was All- Region and All-Conference runner freshman Esrom Woldemichael (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview HS) finishing 4th out of 97 runners with a time of 26:15. Rounding out the top 7 was: sophomore Alex Drew (Coopersville, MI/Coopersville HS), sophomore Mathias Waterstradt (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS), freshman Jacob Baker (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores HS), freshman Cameron Kroening (Muskegon, MI /Orchard View HS), freshman Austin Elliott (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake HS), and sophomore David VanBergen (Fruitport, MI/Fruitport HS). “Our total time for runners1-5 was the fastest in school history, so I was really happy with that,” said Coach Dan Fishel. “I think quite a few of our guys are coming on at the right time. Cameron had the best race and broke his 8k personal best time by over a minute” The Jayhawk men will finish their season in two weeks at the NJCAA national championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa on Saturday, November 9th.

Men’s Cross Country Finish 4th

The Jayhawks competed in their own Jayhawk Invitational held at University Park Golf Course in Muskegon, MI on Friday, Oct. 11. The Jayhawks finished 4th out of 12 teams. The Jayhawks were led by freshman Esrom Woldemichael (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview HS) 25:56. Woldemichael finished as the first NJCAA runner and fourth overall.

MCC’s top five were: Esrom Wodemichael, freshman Jacob Baker (Norton Shores, MI/Mona Shores HS) 27:02 a personal record, sophomore Alex Drew (Coopersville, MI/Coopersville HS) 27:47, sophomore Mathias Waterstradt (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS) 28:04, and freshman Logan Irey (Whitehall, MI/Whitehall HS) 28:33.

I was impressed today with sophomore David VanBergen (Fruitport, MI/Fruitport HS) and Jacob Baker.” said Head Coach Dan Fishel. “VanBergen and Baker both set personal records.” The Jayhawk’s next competition is the NJCAA Region XII & MCCAA Championship in Lansing, MI hosted by Lansing CC at Grand Woods Park Saturday, Oct. 26.

Men’s Cross Country outrun Lake Superior State U’s A-Team

The Jayhawks took 11th out of 25 full teams at the Lansing Community College Invitational on Friday, Oct. 4. MCC finished as the 3rd best community college team and placed higher than Lake Superior State University’s “A” squad. Leading the Jayhawks was freshman Esrom Woldemichael (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview HS) taking 19th out of 277 runners with a time of 26:05.

Rounding out MCC’s top 7 were: sophomore Mathias Waterstradt (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS), freshman Jacob Baker (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores HS), sophomore Alex Drew (Coopersville, MI/Coopersville HS),freshman Logan Irey (Whitehall, MI/Whitehall HS), freshman Austin Elliott (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake HS), and freshman David VanBergen (Fruitport, MI/Fruitport HS).

“It was hot and humid out there today,” said Coach Dan Fishel. “The guys and I have been waiting for cooler weather to run some faster times, but we still beat several quality teams today.”

The Jayhawks next host their only home meet of the season next Friday, Oct. 11 at University Park Golf Course at 2:00 p.m. That meet will be followed by the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association High School Cross Country City Meet at 3:30 p.m.

Men’s Cross Country Run Perfect

MCC cross country competed at the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational in Rock Island, Ill on Friday, Sept. 27. The Jayhawks finish with a perfect 15 points! The 2nd place team was #23 Southwestern Iowa CC. Rounding out the top 6 were: Illinois Central CC, Lincoln CC, Carl Sandburg CC, and Scott CC.

The Men’s team took 15th place overall out of 36 full teams with many NCAA and NAIA teams. Freshman Esrom Woldemichael (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview HS) had an award winning finish by finishing 23rd out of 491 with a time of 25:56 for 8k.

The Jayhawks will be in action next at the Lansing CC Invite in Lansing, Mich. at the Grand Woods Park Friday, Sept. 4. The race starts at 1:30pm.

Men’s Cross Country Improving

The NJCAA 17th ranked men’s cross country team had a solid performance at Friday’s Spartan Invitational hosted by Michigan State University at Forest Akers East Golf Course. Leading the way was freshman Austin Elliott (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake HS). Elliott took 151st place out of 286 runners with an 8k time of 27:31 and was the 14th place NJCAA runner.

Finishing right behind Elliott was freshman Jacob Baker (Norton Shores, MI/Mona Shores HS) in 27:32. Rounding out the top 7 was: freshman Esrom Woldemichael (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview HS), freshman Logan Irey (Whitehall, MI/Whitehall HS), sophomore Mathias Waterstradt (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS), sophomore Alex Drew (Coopersville, MI/Coopersville HS), and freshman Cameron Kroening (Muskegon, MI/Orchard View HS).

“Elliot did a great job leading the team today, Baker, Irey, and Drew made progress with great races today.” said Coach Dan Fishel. “We had some good cross country weather finally with temperatures in the upper 50’s and some of the guys took advantage of this. I’m still waiting for a meet when all the men have great races on the same day. All of the guys gave a great effort. We are still training at higher mileage than last year, but I expect to really start seeing times come down when we begin to taper at the end of October.” The Jayhawk men have next week off before traveling to Augustana College on Friday, September 27th.

Woldmichael Leads 7th Ranked Men’s Cross Country at Jets Invite

The nationally 7th ranked MCC men’s cross country team competed at the Jets Invitational at Jackson College in Jackson, Mich. on Friday, Sept. 6. Leading the way for the Jayhawks was freshman Esrom Woldemichael (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview HS). Woldemichael led most of the race and finished 2nd out of 48 runners with a time of 21:23 for a 4-mile race. “This time was a particularly impressive due to the hilly course and the slow pace early in the race.” said Head Coach Dan Fishel.

Rounding out the top seven for MCC was freshman Austin Elliot (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake HS), freshman Jacob Baker (Norton Shores, MI/Mona Shores HS), sophomore Mathias Waterstradt (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS), freshman Logan Irey (Whitehall, MI/Whitehall HS), sophomore Alex Drew (Coopersville, MI/Coopersville HS), and sophomore David VanBergen (Fruitport, MI/Fruitport HS).

“We came up short of the defending champs, but the score was a little deceiving.” said Coach Fishel. “We have some guys fighting through illness and injuries. Jake Baker made huge strides and several other runners made gains from our first race.” The Jayhawks travel to Michigan State University on Friday, Sept. 13th for a noon race at the Auto-Owner’s Insurance Spartan Invitational at Forest Akers East Golf Course.

Men’s Cross Country Ranked #7

The MCC Men’s Cross Country team is ranked #7 in the latest NJCAA National Rankings. “Which sounds about right for where we are at now.” said Head Coach Dan Fishel. The ranking comes after the team finished 3rd at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Holland, Mich. at Hope College. The Men’s team will be in action this Friday, Sept. 6th at the Jets Invitational in Jackson, Mich.

Men’s Cross Country Third at Hope

MCC men’s cross country team took third place at the Vanderbilt Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Hope College in Holland, Mich. The Jayhawks were led by freshman Esrom Woldemichael (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview HS) coming in 4th overall with a time of 26:53.

Rounding out MCC’s top five runners were: sophomore Mathis Waterstradt (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS) 19th – 27:51, freshman Austin Elliot (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake HS) 27th – 28:27, freshman Jacob Baker (Norton Shores, MI/Mona Shores HS) 30th – 28:48, and freshman Logan Irey 33rd (Whitehall, MI/ Whitehall HS) – 28:52.

Men’s Cross Country Opens Aug. 31

The MCC men’s cross country team opens its 2013 season on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Hope College’s Vanderbilt Invitational in Holland, Mich.

“The men’s cross country team appears well-stocked with talent and should make a run at a regional championship this fall if everyone stays healthy,” said Dan Fishel, the second-year Jayhawks head coach.

School record-holder sophomore Mathias Waterstradt (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon) should compete for top runner honors with a pair of freshmen: Esrom Woldemichael (Grand Rapids, MI/Northview) and Austin Elliott (Spring Lake, MI/Spring Lake). Esrom ran 15:34 for a 5k in cross country last year along with a 9:21 3200 meters in track while Elliott was third place in the Division II state meet with a 4:21 1600 meters personal record.

Freshman Logan Irey (Whitehall HS) and sophomore David VanBergen (Fruitport HS) appear to round out the top five right now, but expect freshman Jacob Baker (Mona Shores HS), sophomore Alex Drew (Coopersville, MI/Coopersville HS), freshman Cameron Kroening (Orchard View HS), freshman Tyler Grove (Whitehall HS), and freshman Spencer Morse (Montague HS) to challenge for positions as the season progresses.