Cobbers Succeed In Tough Conditions
Munir Isahak and Eric Wicklund led the ever-improving Cobbers as CC had success in the first meet against MIAC competition.
NORTHFIELD, Minn. (9/21/19)--- Concordia got their first look at MIAC competition as they traveled to Northfield to compete in the Running of the Cows Meet at the Carleton Arboretum.
The Cobbers were led by junior Munir Isahak and senior Eric Wicklund on a hilly and difficult course. The course conditions coupled with the high humidity and wet conditions proved to be a challenge. While the temperature hovered in the mid 70s, the humidity was as high as 95-percent during race time.
Cobber sophomore Luke Lindhorst summed it up by stating, "the word of the day is confused. You just couldn't get in the zone and hit cruise control. Hill after hill. It was just really mentally challenging."
The meet served as the conference course preview as the MIAC schools will return to Carleton on November 2 for the MIAC Championship Meet.
Isahak and Wicklund both broke into the Top 25 to finish in award-winning positions. Isahak traversed the 8k course in 26:31 which was good for a 9th place. Wicklund was close behind as he came across the line in 26:46 which earned him a spot in the Top 20 at 18th place. The duo's results were made even more impressive by the fact that they were the fifth and eighth finishers from MIAC schools.
Sophomore Jesse Middendorf and junior Noah Kneeskern continued their season attached at the hip, crossing the line less than half a second apart in 27:50.0 and 27:50.4 - finishing in 58th and 59th.
The Cobber Top 5 was rounded out by junior Hans Frank-Holzner, who after studying abroad last year, is starting to hit his stride and he was able to post a time of 28:48 which placed him 109th.
Connor Haugrud led the rest of the Cobber athletes. He finished the 8k course in 29:17. Sophomore Nolan Christenson, who continues to come back from an Achilles injury, finished in 29:25. Lindhorst followed closely behind in 29:29. Freshman Basil Ricker finished his first career 8k in under 30 minutes by slipping by in at 29:59. Sophomore Justin Kringler ran a 31:16 and freshman Solomon Johnson, who is battling illness and a hip injury, came across in 11th for the Cobbers in 31:49.
The Cobbers showed guts today in conquering one of the toughest cross country courses they will see all year long. Concordia finished in eighth place as a team with 207 points. The meet was filled with a number of nationally and regionally ranked schools and CC was able to better three of the seven conference teams at the meet.
The result is a good showcase for Concordia who continues to improve with each meet and will be looking to peak in November where they can make a splash in the conference and regional meets.
UP NEXT: Concordia will have a 2-week break before returning to action on October 4 at the Jimmie Invite at Pipestem Dam. CC will be looking to take another step forward and record some very fast times.