ELMHURST, Ill.- The Illinois Institute of Technology started off the season on a good note on Friday night, competing in the Elmhurst Earlybird Invitational hosted by Elmhurst College. Tech placed ninth out of a strong 14-team field in the event held at Eldridge Park in Elmhurst.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Cole Dammier ran very well to open the season, placing 22nd with a time of 20:23.9.
• Senior Samuel Wietlispach also opened the season on a strong note, coming in at 20:23.4 in the 6k race in 28th place
• Quentin Shipley-Mellon (68th, 22:01.9) also cracked the Top 75

For the Foes

• North Central College won the event, as all of the team's varisty runners placed in the Top 10

Quotes from Coach Williams

• "Overall I am very pleased with how things went. There were some very talented squads and individuals at Elmhurst, and I told them it doesn't matter who is on the course, we focus on our goal." 
• "Considering our youth and inexperience, I told the group that our goal today was for each guy to figure out where he was in terms of training as well as shake off the rust - for us to figure who we are." 
• "From the gun it was clear that Cole wanted to push his limits, testing himself and trying mix it up with some of the tops guys in the region."

Also of Note

• The meet was the team's first under the leadership of Joel Williams

Up Next

• Men's Cross Country will race at the UW-Parkside Midwest open on Saturday, September 12. Race time is set for 11:00 a.m.