Heidelberg Runners Start off the Year with a Bang

The Heidelberg men’s and women’s cross country teams, under first-year head coach Keith Roberts, started their seasons off with a good showing at home, competing in the Berg/Dragon Invite at Clinton Heights Golf Course.

In the men’s 8k event, Heidelberg dominated the field with five runners placing in the top-10. Devin Butcher (Bowling Green, Ohio / Bowling Green) led the Berg by coming in second in a time of 26:04, while Jarrod Saling (Caldwell, Ohio / Caldwell) finished in fifth in a time of 26:46. Rounding out the pack was Scott Lasch (Huron, Ohio / Huron) in seventh (27:02), Keith Mrak (Twinsburg, Ohio / Walsh Jesuit) in eighth (27:07), and Jake Lemon (Oak Harbor, Ohio / Oak Harbor) in ninth (27:08).

In the 5k, a mixed field ran the course with Jordan Karnes (Edgerton, Ohio / Edgerton) edging out the field to take first in a time of 16:44. The women placed Tabitha Grim (Sullivan, Ohio / Black River) in seventh with a time of 21:26 and Ninette Ruch (Toledo, Ohio / Notre Dame Academy) in eighth just three seconds behind. Elizabeth Richards (London, Ohio / London) finished in 22:55, Rachael Hoover (South Euclid, Ohio / Brush) in 23:23 and Taylor Bloom (Tiffin, Ohio / Columbian) finished in a time of 24:44 for the Berg.

Both teams compete next on Saturday, September 13, at the Broughton Cross Country Meet in Marietta, Ohio.