Impressive Outing at All-Ohio

Delaware, Ohio, October 2, 2009 – The Heidelberg University men’s and women’s cross country teams participated in the All-Ohio Championships, hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University. 
 
The nationally ranked Heidelberg’s men’s cross country team finished second out of 20 Division III teams, only placing behind Ohio Athletic Conference competitor Ohio Northern University by one-point, 66-65. The second place finish improves the Berg six spots from last year’s All-Ohio Championship, when they placed eighth. 
 
Overall, Heidelberg men's cross country team finished sixth out of 38 schools. In front of Heidelberg was Ohio State University, Malone University, Shawnee State University, University of Cincinnati and ONU. Heidelberg and ONU were the only DIII schools represented in the top-10 overall standings. 
 
Second year coach Keith Roberts said the team showed a lot about themselves with today’s performance. “Everyone stepped up today,” Roberts said. “Our team showed depth.” 
 
OAC cross country runner of the week, Devin Butcher (Bowling Green, Ohio / Bowling Green) led the way for the men with a time of 27:06.8, finishing in third place.  Jordan Karnes (Edgerton, Ohio / Edegerton) crossed the line in 27:38.7 for a sixth place finish. Also finishing in the top-10 was Jacob Lemon (Oak Harbor, Ohio / Oak Harbor) with a time of 27:41.1 for ninth place.
 
Contributing in the top-30 was Bobby Over (Wadsworth, Ohio / Wadsworth) (28:12.8) who finished 19th, while John Gogle (Sunbury, Ohio / Big Walnut) (28:29.4) finished 29th.
 
The women finished in 16th place out of 21 teams, while beating out OAC opponents Capital University and Muskingum University.
 
Leading for the women was Bobbie Custer (Woodstock, Ohio / Triad) with a top-50 finish of 21:18.7, finishing in 48th. Meanwhile, Michelle Fitch (Kinsman, Ohio / Badger) finished strong with a time of 22:56.3. Following Fitch was Ninette Ruch (Toledo, Ohio / Notre Dame Academy) with the time of 23:10.0. Filling out the five spot for the women were Macy McFarland (Huron, Ohio / Huron) and Anna Brodman (Tiffin, Ohio / Calvert) with times of 23:40.7 and 23:46.9, respectively.
 
Heidelberg races next at Pre-Regional, in Terre Haute, Indiana on Saturday, October 10 at 11:00 a.m.