Elmhurst, Illinois - The Scarlet Hawks Cross Country opened their season on August 29 at the Elmhurst Earlybird Invite, held in Eldridge Park. "Both fields had some good competition toeing the line, highlighted by the 2nd ranked Team in the country on the men's side, North Central College, and the 4th team in the NCAA Division III preseason poll, University of Chicago Women's team" said Head Coach Calin Hantau. "This year the Earlybird Invite was a week earlier than in the past, so we treated this race as a workout" noted Hantau.
Women's team finished 6th in a field of 11 teams. "Anne Crotteau led the way for us today. She executed the race plan very well and we are looking to race her into form so she is ready for some fast times 6-7 weeks from now." Crotteau was followed by Sara Glade, Greta Zola, Callie Joncas & April Wanagas for a strong 2-5 punch. "I know that our 3-6 spots are looking better than last year and this will make a huge difference in a Championship type race when it counts, at the end of the season" said Raul Botezan, the Assistant Coach.
Men's team was 9th out of 13 teams but Coach Hantau thinks there's a lot of improving to do for the Hawks. "For the majority of them, Elmhurst was the first official day to wear the IIT jersey in an official race. We have some work to do, but I believe that we will be competitive come November" said Coach Hantau. Samuel Wietliespach had a great summer of training and has some great things ahead of him this season. Landon Vowels was next to cross the line for the Hawks followed by the newcomers; Adam Becker, Calvin Demski, Quentin Shippley, Ryan Melerski and Patrick Bartman finished the race in this order for Illinois Tech.
Men and Women Cross Country will be off the following week but will be racing on September 13 at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon WI.