Women’s Cross Country Places 24th at the NCJAA Championships

The Jayhawk women’s cross country team took 24th place in the at the NJCAA National Championships held at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Cold and windy conditions didn’t keep the Jayhawk women from their highest team national meet finish in school history. There were 34 full teams that competed at the national meet along with several individuals that qualified.

Leading the way was freshman Summer Hussey (Muskegon, MI/Reeths Puffer HS) taking 48th place out of 281 finishers with a personal best time of 19:46. Rounding out the top 7 were: freshman Andrea Lavigne (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central HS) 66th place, freshman Samantha Eely (Muskegon, MI/Oakridge HS) 172nd place; Claudia Melton (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS) 196th place; Brielle Johnson (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS) 239th place; freshman Erika Bayak (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS) 252nd place; and Miranda Buckwald (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS) 256th place.

Women’s Cross Country Peaking at the Right Time

Leading the way was All- Region and All- Conference runners Freshman Andrea Lavigne (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central HS) in 8th place with a time of19:57 and freshman Summer Hussey (Muskegon, MI/Reeths Puffer) with a time of 20:09. Rounding out the top 7 was: freshman Samantha Eely (Muskegon, MI/Oakridge HS), freshman Brielle Johnson (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS), freshman Claudia Melton (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS), freshman Erika Bayak (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS), and freshman Miranda Buckwald (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS).

“This was a coming out party for our women’s team today,” said Coach Dan Fishel. “Summer Hussey ran her all-time personal best time today, Andrea, Sammie, Brielle, and Claudia all ran their season best times today.” The Jayhawks will compete next at the NJCAA national championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa on Saturday, November 9th.

Women’s Cross Country Finish 6th

The Jayhawks competed in their own Jayhawk Invitational held at University Park Golf Course in Muskegon, MI on Friday, Oct. 11. The Jayhawks finished 6th out of 14 teams. The Jayhawks were led by first time leader freshman Summer Hussey (North Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS) with a season personal record – 20:24.

MCC’s top five were: Hussey 20:24, freshman Andrea Lavigne (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central HS) 20:25, freshman Samatha Eely Muskegon, MI/Oakridge HS) 21:51 a season personal record, freshman Brielle Johnson (North Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS) 23:30, and freshman Claudia Melton (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS) 23:44.

The Jayhawk’s next competition is the NJCAA Region XII & MCCAA Championship in Lansing, MI hosted by Lansing CC at Grand Woods Park on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Women’s Cross Country Looking to Set Records

The Jayhawk’s took 18th out of 24 teams at the Lansing Community College Invitational Friday, Oct. 4. MCC finished as the 3rd community college team. Leading the way for the Jayhawks was freshman Andrea Lavigne (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central HS) taking 41st out of 243 runners with a time of 20:02.

Lavigne was the 6th fastest community college runner. Rounding out the top 7 for the Jayhawks were: freshman Summer Hussey (Muskegon, MI/Reeths Puffer HS), freshman Samantha Eely (Muskegon, MI/Oakridge HS), freshman Brielle Johnson (Muskegon/North Muskegon HS), freshman Claudia Melton (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS), freshman Erika Bayak (Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS), and freshman Miranda Buckwald (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS).

“It was a hot and humid today,” said Coach Dan Fishel. “We’ve been waiting for cooler weather to run some faster times, but with the temperatures we had it’s very hard to set PR’s.” Even with the poor weather conditions Lavigne had her best race of the season. “When it gets cold, I think she’s got a great shot at setting a new MCC record.” added Coach Fishel ”But, it will take an entire team effort to accomplish our team goals.”

The Jayhawks host their only home meet of the season 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.

Women’s Cross Country Finish First

MCC cross country competed at the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational in Rock Island, Ill on Friday, Sept. 27. The Jayhawks finished as the top junior college team at the meet scoring 33 points.

Rounding out the top five were: Carl Sandburg College 46, Lincoln College 69, Scott CC 98, and Southwestern Iowa CC 105. Freshman Andrea Lavigne (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central HS) led the Jayhawk with a time of 24:55 for 6k and took 101st out of 415 in the race, all with 80 degree temps at the start of the race.

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.

Women’s Cross Country Running Well

The NJCAA 20th ranked women’s cross country team had their best team race of the season this Friday at the Spartan Invitational hosted by Michigan State University at Forest Akers East Golf Course. The Jayhawks ran a 6k instead of the normal 5k, against a large field. Although there was no team scores, most of the women ran their season-best 5k times as a split in their 6k races.

Freshman Andrea Lavigne (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central HS) led the way with a 132nd place out of 257 runners with a time of 24:50. She was the 5th place NJCAA runner in the field. Freshman Summer Hussey (North Muskegon, MI/Reeths Puffer HS) was also impressive as the 9th place NJCAA runner at 25:29. Rounding out the top 7 were: Freshman Samantha Eely (Muskegon, MI/Oakridge HS), freshman Brielle Johnson (North Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS), freshman Claudia Melton (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS), freshman Erika Bayak (North Muskegon, MI//North Muskegon HS), and freshman Miranda Buckwald (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS).

“Lavigne and Hussey ran very impressive races despite being a little sick.” said Coach Dan Fishel. “I was especially impressed with Buckwald. She broke her all-time 5k during the 6k race!” The women’s team put together their best team race of the season and took advantage of cooler temperatures and a great course!” The women are off next weekend and compete next on Friday, September 27th at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.

10th Ranked Women Cross Country Places 2nd at Jets Invitational

The NJCAA 10th ranked Women’s Cross Country team finished 2nd at the Jackson College Jet Invitational. The team ran in a 5-team event in Jackson, Mich. on Friday Sept. 6th. Leading the way for the Jayhawks was freshman Summer Hussey (North Muskegon, Reeths-Puffer HS) with a time of 22:20. Hussey’s time earned her a 4th place finish in a 34 runner field.

Rounding out the MCC Women’s top seven were freshman Samantha Eely (Muskegon, MI/Oakridge HS), freshman Erika Bayak (North Muskegon, North Muskegon HS), freshman Claudia Melton (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS), freshman Brielle Johnson (North Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS), freshman Andrea Lavigne (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central HS), and freshman Miranda Buckwald (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS)

“The women ran very well.” said Head Coach Dan Fishel. “Summer Hussey ran very strong. Samantha Eely and Claudia Melton had especially great races.” The Jayhawks travel to Michigan State University this coming Friday, Sept. 13th for a noon race at the Auto-Owner’s Insurance Spartan Invitational at Forest Akers East Golf Course.

Women’s Cross Country Ranked #10

The year’s first in season rankings are out and the MCC Women’s Cross Country team is ranked #10. “We haven’t run up to our potential yet, but we deserved to be ranked #10. This might be a better season that I thought.” Head Coach Dan Fishel said about the new ranking. “I’m pleasantly surprised so far.” The women’s team will be in action this Friday, Sept. 6th at the Jets Invitational in Jackson, Mich.

Women’s Cross Country Place Fourth

The MCC women’s cross country team placed fourth at the Vanderbilt Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Hope College in Holland, MI.

MCC was led by freshman Andrea Lavigne (Ludington, MI/Mason County Central HS) in 39th with a time of 21:26. Other Jayhawk runners finishing well were freshman Summer Hussey (North Muskegon, MI/Reeths-Puffer HS) 44th – 21:54, freshman Brielle Johnson (North Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS) 56th – 23:41, freshman Erika Bayak (North Muskegon, MI/North Muskegon HS) 58th – 24:18, freshman Samantha Eely (Muskegon, MI/Oakridge HS) 60th – 24:44, freshman Claudia Melton (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS) 61st – 25:41, and Freshman Miranda Buckwald (Grand Haven, MI/Grand Haven HS) 63rd – 26:30.

Women’s Cross Country at Vanderbilt Invite

The MCC women’s cross country squad opens its season on Saturday, Aug. 31, in Holland, Mich., at the Hope College Vanderbilt Invitational.

“The women’s cross country team looks to improve on last year’s fourth place regional finish and 25th place national finish,” said Dan Fishel, now in his second year as the Jayhawks head coach.

Leading the way is freshman Andrea Lavigne (Mason County Central) who ran a 19:22 5k in cross country for the Spartans a year ago. Challenging Lavigne are five freshmen: Erika Bayak (North Muskegon HS), Summer Hussey (Reeths Puffer HS), Samantha Eely (Oakridge HS), Brielle Johnson (North Muskegon HS), and Claudia Melton (Grand Haven HS).

Expect sophomore Meagan Lavin (Hesperia HS) and freshman Miranda Buckwald (Grand Haven HS) to also compete for top spots.