Runners post personal-bests at Spartan Invite


Personal bests were a common theme for the Central Michigan men’s and women’s cross country team on Friday during the Spartan Invitational in East Lansing.

Senior Cory Arnold led the way, finishing 29th with a time of 25 minutes, 39 seconds. The time was Arnold’s best since the 2007-08 season.

“It was exciting for him and the program,” said CMU cross country and track field director Willie Randolph. “He has a lot on his plate with his internship that he trying to finish up.”

Other top finishers for the men’s team who crossed the line of the 8k race were Jason Drudge, finishing 45th (25:57), Zach Tranter 62nd (26:15) and Chris Pankow (63rd, 26:18).

Despite the meet not being scored, Randolph said there are always things you can take away. In his mind, the men’s team runs stronger as a pack at the very beginning, but needs to focus more on the last half of the race. The women, meanwhile, have to look to run in pack at the beginning of the race rather than later in order to run stronger times.

Senior Danielle Dakroub finished 33rd with a time of 22:25 and was the first CMU runner to cross the line of the women’s 6k race. Three other Chippewas placed in the top-50, including junior Holly Anderson finished 42nd (22:47), senior Brittany Dixon placed in 43rd (22:47) and sophomore Maddie Ribant finished 47th (22:54).

“The team ran well,” Randolph said. “We are excited about our future now that we have solidified our top seven.”

Randolph would not disclose his top seven for both teams.

Senior Melissa Darling, however, said she did not run up to her standards in the first meet of the season. Darling finished in 102nd with a time of 23:49.

“My performance wasn’t outstanding by any means, but I still feel like I’m starting to move forward,” Darling said.

Junior Matt Lutzke (25:12) and freshman Krista Parks (22:05), running unattached, each finished 15 and 16th in their respective races.

The Chippewas travel to Minneapolis, Minn., on Sept. 25 for its first scored meet at the Roy Griak Invitational.

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