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By: Anna Adamyk

On Saturday morning, the Sterling College men’s and women’s cross country teams raced against five other KCAC schools, and Barclay County Community College, in the Warrior Fest Invitational held at the Sterling Country Club.

The morning started early with the men’s race at nine. The seventy-degree weather provided ideal running conditions for the men’s five mile race through the golf course.

Rolando Phalen
Fourth place finisher, Rolando Phalen (JR) Photo Credit: Lydia Brooks

Sterling College’s Rolando Phalen, a junior transfer student took fourth place at 27:44.30 time, averaging a 5:32 minute mile.  Being new, Rolando explained how he is trying to get to know some other runners but explained that it can be difficult, “it’s a completely new conference for me [with] new runners. I just got to know a few of the conference guys, so now I can know who I’m racing against.”

The women began their three point one mile race at 9:45 a.m. The weather warmed up some from the men’s race and the wind picked up significantly causing the women a little extra strain, “the backstretch was pretty windy, running straight into it.”

Payden Shapland
Second place runner, Payden Shapland (sophomore), closes in on the finish line. Photo credit: Lydia Brooks

In the women’s race, Shapland (sophomore), came in second place with a time of 20:01.30, averaging a 6:26 minute mile. Followed directly by Evelyn Barnhart (freshman), who took third place and Lacey Buckwalter (senior), who took fourth. Payden spoke of how the crowd affected her running, “The people cheering were awesome. They were lined up on both sides and [they] were just really supportive. It was awesome!”

Crowd
A large crowd showed up with signs in hand to cheer on the Warriors at the Sterling Country Club. Photo Credit: Lydia Brooks

The women’s team won first place in the Warrior Fest Invitational with a total of 24 points, nearly half as many points as Tabor College, who came in second place. The Warrior men’s team came in second place, with just 18 points more than McPherson College.This was the Warrior Cross Country team’s second meet of the season and first home meet. Their next race will be in two weeks, on September 23

This was the Warrior Cross Country team’s second meet of the season and first home meet. Their next race will be in two weeks, on September 23rd. It will at the Tabor College Blue Jays Invitational at Marion Reservoir.