Otterbein sweeps 2007 Carl Broughton Invitational
Marietta men and women both finish second

Sept. 15, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — 10 teams gathered at the Broughton Nature and Wildlife Education Area, just off the campus of Marietta College, for the 2007 Carl Broughton Invitational Saturday (Sept. 15) morning.

Otterbein College, as it did in 2003, swept the competition. The Cardinal men, paced by James Castrillo, who set a new meet record, compiled an impressive 20 points. Niki Reese led the Lady Cardinals, who finished with 30 points.

Marietta College placed second in both events with its men compiling 73 points and its women collecting 52 points. Alderson-Broaddus (W.Va.) College took third in both races after its men finished with 85 points and its women had 78 points.

Sophomore Randi Robertson (Avon Lake) paced Marietta's women, who placed as a team for the first time since being reinstated in 2002, with a second place finish overall. Her time of 20:11.28 was the best invitational performance in the history of the program, which dates back to 1985, and the third fastest time ever run at the meet.

Sophomore Kaity Smith (Essex Junction, Vt.) gave the Pioneer women a pair of top-five finishes as she crossed the line in fourth place with a time of 20:37.06. It was her best performance as a Pioneer.

Junior Jessi Larrison (Batavia) competed for the first time this season and ran to an 11th-place finish, covering the five kilometer course in 21:16.70.

Sophomore Shannon McDonald (Lorain/Amherst Steele) battled through an in-race injury to place 14th with a time of 21:24.97.

Sophomore Logan Wern (North Canton/Hoover) rounded out Marietta's scoring with a 26th-place finish. Wern shaved 90 seconds off her time from a year ago and finished in 22:28.88.

Freshman Meghan Cline (Dublin/Coffman), who is competing through an injury, took 30th place with a time of 22:54.81, while sophomore Brenda Puckett (Eaton/Preble Shawness) rounded out the finishers with a 34th placement, crossing the line in 23:13.42.

"Out women's team has so much potential," Head Coach Derek Stanley said. "Our front four are good, and we are working on our five to get us into the mix to start winning. This was a good day for us but there is more there. Time will bring us together."

Senior John Hull (Scott Depot, W.Va./Winfield) led the men, who matched their top placement (2005) at the invitational. Hull had his best performance, improving over a minute from last year, and placed seventh with a time of 28:15:28.

Senior Harrison Potter (Rochester, N.Y./Gates Chili) finished second of the Pioneers, taking 14th with a time of 28:46.18.

Sophomore Mike Siringer (Willowick/Willoughby South) showed the most improvement from a year ago, jumping from 23rd to 10th in the meet with a time of 28:31.34.

Freshman Max Kenngott (Akron/St. Vincent-St. Mary) was next across the line for Marietta, taking 23rd place with a time of 29:29.19.

Sophomore Cody Thomas (North Olmsted) was Marietta’s fifth scorer, placing 30th with a time of 29:56.76.

Rounding out the Pioneers finishers were sophomores Corey Blattler (Barnsville) (41st/30:42.95), Kevin Hazlett (Akron/St. Vincent-St. Mary) (43rd/30:58.99) and Louie D’Amico (Shadyside) (45th/31:06.52).

"I am very happy with the men's race," Stanley said. "I knew it would be tough to run with Otterbein, but I am glad Hull is back and Potter is building strength and momentum. Siringer had a good day, and Kenngott look strong for being sick. We have to keep moving the men up in the race. Second place is a good feeling and we earned it."

Marietta is back in action Saturday (Sept. 22) when it competes in the Western Invitational, which will take place in London, Ontario.