Trojan Men and Women Win Home Meet

A week after running in very hot and humid conditions the Trojan men and women returned back to Hannibal for a little home cooking. At the third annual HLG Trojan invite the men women ran to the team titles. The women utilized pack running strategy putting all six runners that ran in the top 15. Nicole Griesbaum was the first lady Trojan to cross the line running (20:26) in her first ever cross country meet. She was followed closely by Mandi Riddle (20:43) and Jennifer Yoder (20:41). The women finished with an amazing pack time of 1:17 for the 5K course. Right behind Jennifer Yoder was Sarah Erickson( 20:44), Sarah Wilson(21:10) and Jessica Bailey(21:43). For the women it was a particularly good meet, they beat Ashford University, and Benedictine University of Springfield to take home the team title. This was the first full 5k that the women's team had run, next week it is on to Joplin and the Missouri Southern Stampede one of the largest cross country meets in the nation.

On the men's side the HLG Trojan Invite was the first 8K(5mile) of the season. Lead once again by Philiph Tonui (25:56) the Trojan men defended there home turf and ran to the team title. The men beat Ashford University, Quincy University( NCAA Div. II), Benedictine University at Springfield, and Culver Stockton College. Philiph broke 26 minutes on the new course setting a new course record and firmly establishing himself as a runner to watch within the AMC conference. Behind Philiph was talented freshmen John Bedsworth (27:52), Troy Pace (28:30), Tyler Malone (28:40), Bret Jones(28:48) Zach Lewis (29:34) and Edward Gregg(33:56). For many of these guys it was there first 8k they had ever run. The men accomplished quite a bit today, learning to race five miles, but more importantly learning to run as a team and help each other out.  With the home meet in the rear view mirror we look ahead to our first long trip of the season.

Next week we are headed to Joplin, and the Missouri Southern Stampede. We are going to run but we are also going to spend some time serving the people of Joplin, which was devastated by a tornado in may. Hoping to be a little bit of a light to the community after we run.  Pictures and stories to follow.