CMU cross country opens season with Jeff Drenth Memorial
The wait to start racing is finally over for the Central Michigan men’s and women’s cross country teams.
After running 100 miles a week over the summer, both teams will get a gauge of where they are at today in the 25th annual Jeff Drenth Memorial at Pleasant Hills Golf Course in Mount Pleasant.
Traditionally, the meet has marked the opening of the cross country team.
Jeff Drenth was a former All-American and two-time Mid-American Conference champion, helping lead the Chippewas to its first team MAC title in 1982.
Drenth ended his career with an individual MAC title in 1983 before passing away 25 years ago while training to compete for Team USA in the Olympics. Drenth’s spirit has lived on with the cross country program to this day.
“It means a lot to our program,” said senior Melissa Darling, who will sit out the meet. “He was a part of the first really good guys teams. It’s a great thing to see college traditions last this long.”
In addition to CMU, athletes from Michigan State, Saginaw Valley State and Alma College will also compete. Randolph said the meet will serve as a good opportunity to give the freshmen more experience, specifically freshman Krista Parks who will run unattached.
Junior Raeanne Lohner also spoke highly of Parks’ training early on.
“Krista has been doing an outstanding job at practice,” Lohner said. “She is able to run with the upperclassmen and that’s what we need, someone who can mix things up.”
On the men’s side, the team is looking to improve upon last year’s third-place finish at MAC Championships.
Despite a slow start to training, junior Wade Buchs said he’s seen an improvement with performance and times.
“Coming off of camp we saw some ups and downs,” Buchs said. “We weren’t in as good of shape (as) I thought. We have a lot of work to do, but each workout we see guys coming together.”
Sophomore Tecumseh Adams and freshman Kyle Stacks will run attached for the men. Senior Danielle Dakroub and junior Holly Anderson will highlight the women’s side.
Randolph said he just wants to make sure his athletes are competing, learning how to work together and executing throughout this first meet.
“It is about getting them rolling when it counts the most,” said Randolph.
