DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's cross country team opened its 2013 season with the annual Bulldog Classic Friday evening at Ewing Park. The women's team finished second in the meet, behind Iowa State and ahead of Northern Iowa as scoring was compiled as three separate competitions between the in-state foes.
With temperatures still near 100 degrees at the start of the 4-kilometer race, the heat played a significant factor in the competition.
“This heat has made training tough during this first week of practice and during today's meet,” Drake head coach Dan Hostager said. “But overall it was a good meet to get our younger kids some experience.”
Sophomore Taylor Scholl (Prior Lake, Minn.) finished fourth to lead the Bulldogs with a 13:04.04 mark. After the race, she echoed her coach's remarks about difficulty of competing in the sweltering heat.
“The race was pretty hot, but we had to get used to it and try and survive in this heat,” Scholl said shortly after crossing the finish line.
Another pair of sophomores, Cassie Aerts (David City, Neb.) and Melissa Parks (Norfolk, Neb.) rounded out the top ten for the Blue and White. Aerts finished in eighth place with a time of 13:13.96, just edging Parks, who placed ninth in 13:14.81.
Sophomore Erin Valenti of Iowa State set the winning pace on the 4-kilometer course in 12:56.00
The Bulldogs will hope for a break in the weather to allow them a more hospitable week of training to prepare for the Oz Memorial on Friday, Sept. 6 in Minneapolis, Minn.
Bulldog Classic Team Scores
Iowa State – 21
Drake – 34
Iowa State – 23
UNI – 32
Drake – 27
UNI - 28
Bulldog Classic Drake Results
4-Kilometers
4. Taylor Scholl - 13:04.04
8. Cassie Aerts - 13:13.96
9. Melissa Parks - 13:14.81
12. Emma Huston - 13:20.06
14. Laura Gann - 13:34.91
19. Amanda Marwitz - 13:46.08
20. Angela Ufheil - 13:46.65
21. Erin Poss - 13:54.97
22. Katie Filosa - 13:56.86
23. Shana Kelly - 14:01.02
26. Erica Bestul - 14:11.66
27. Mariah Kauder - 14:14.62
28. Sammy Nielsen - 14:18.11
29. Celia Venezia - 14:20.23
31. Krista Maguire - 14:22.71
32. Celeste Arteaga - 14:24.13
35. Kaley McLawhorn - 14:43.09
37. Allie Heifner - 15:03.25
38. Shelby Varney - 15:19.22
39. Cassandra Hardy - 15:43.48
