Lauren Martin
The Paw Print
The Grizzlies traveled down south to Fayetteville, Arkansas to compete in the Chile Pepper Festival cross country meet held on Saturday, October 16. The meet was held on the historic Agri Park in hilly northern Arkansas. The course is a jewel, with an open park type area dedicated just to cross country running. Over 1000 spectators from all over the country, who lined the course to support the athletes as they crossed the John McDonnell finish line, attended the annual event. This site is named in honor of the outstanding cross country coach, winner of 42 national championships for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
The collegiate division contained a field of 56 teams, 469 competitors, Adams State women’s cross country team finished in fourth place overall. Senior Kristen McGlynn led the Grizzlies at the Chile Pepper Invitational. McGlynn finished in second, only behind Sarah Pease, a Division I runner from Indiana University. McGlynn went out hard, just behind a handful of Division I All-Americans. She quickly moved through the field, establishing herself in third place. With 500 meters left in the race, she outkicked Holly Knight from Auburn University. McGlynn finished the fast 5,000-meter race in a time of 16:49.
Next for Adams State was senior Cassie Mitchell. Mitchell finished in a time of 17:29 earning her 26th place. Mitchell ran a solid racing, getting out towards the front and held her position most of the race. Following her was fifth year senior, Ashley Quintana. Quintana struggled at the beginning of the race, getting stuck behind the large field of runners. Quintana managed to weave her way in and out of the runners, passing at least 80 runners over the distance of the course. Quintana finished the race in a time of 17:49 placing her 47th overall.
Sarah Lange, a sophomore, finished the race in a personal best time of 18:01. Lange also had to maneuver through the vast amount of competitors to finish in 62nd. Freshman Kelly Lamb rounded out the top five for the Adams State Grizzlies. Lamb finished in 79th place overall in a time of 18:10. This was also a personal best for Lamb, a Creede native. Lamb was closely followed by teammate Addison LeMaster. LeMaster completed the 5k course in a time of 18:12. LeMaster finished in 84th.
Coach Martin was asked about what he thought were the positives and negatives about the race, he responded, “Kristen ran a phenomenal race and is quickly establishing herself as one of the top collegiate runners in the country. Cassie improved tremendously and I was very pleased with her effort. Many of the other girls did not get out very well, leaving them to maneuver through the field. I am pleased that they battled their way back into the race helping the team to finish fourth in this large invitational.”
The Grizzlies are headed to New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. A portion of the team will compete Saturday, October 23. This meet will provide a preview of the upcoming Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference meet course, an event which is fast approaching in early November.
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