Mequon, WI -- The Mount Mary University cross country team competed in the Falcon Invite hosted by Concordia (WI) University on September 14th and 15th.  The Blue Angels finished 12th out of 19 NCAA Division III teams running at the event.

Emily Barker paced the Blue Angels in both 6K races posting times of 24:56 and 24:59.  Three runners:  Natalie Guyette, Hayley Hove, and Grace Rock participated in the first 6K races of their college careers and fared well.

Angels' coach Eugene Miranda's recap:

"Our runners are making good progress in their training and performance. The first race of the season was over a 5 K distance and today's race was over 6 K, a difference of approximately 0.73 miles. To be able to keep the same pace for an extra 0.73 miles is a sign of significant progress in fitness.

Grace (Rock) improved her pace from 9:41 to 9:32 per mile. Vanessa (Schellinger) cut off 10 seconds per mile – 8:07 to 7:57. Danielle (Sherrer) brought her time down by 6 seconds per mile – 8:14 to 8:08.

Emily (Barker) and Natalie (Guyette) were able to maintain about the same pace – 6:40 to 6:43 per mile and 7:27 to 7:28 per mile. Emily endured a painful side stitch and that affected her performance. Natalie could have run a much faster time judging from her final 0.73 mi time. It takes a while to get the pacing down. That is why we practice running at race pace every week using interval training.

Hayley (Hove), who suffered from an upset stomach, was not able to maintain the pace she kept in her first race.  From her workouts, I have no doubts that Hayley would have improved on this race. 

Falcon Invite Breakdown

Race:   Falcon Invite                                                                           Date:   9/15/12

Race:   Falcon Invite                                                                           Date:   9/14/13