USATF State XC – 11/11

On what was less than ideal weather conditions for a true road race, the cold temperatures (30’s) and muddy course at Walnut Grove proved to be just what was needed for many preparing to head to the USATF Club XC Championships in Spokane, WA next month.  In the women’s race, seven women ran (six from LRC) with Sarah Fowler (19:04.25) getting credited with the slight lead against Katie Fitzsimmons (19:04.48).  Next in for LRC was Mary Noel (19:18.37), Laura Tarantino (20:01.44) and Ashlyn Glann (20:22.11). Kara Schlueter also debuted for the team, running her first XC meet in over a year in 20:39.22.

On the men’s side, there were eleven runners, eight of which were from the LRC team.  Nolan Zimmer led wire to wire, winning in a time of 15:56.  Tim Grundmayer didn’t trail his former college teammate by much, finishing in a time of 16:12.69.  Nolan Border (16:15.02) and Cole Marolf (16:15.31) battled for the final podium spot, while Austin Post made it back to old stomping grounds to finish out the team score in a time of 16:43.65.  Tim Meyer made the trek up from Lincoln (6th, 17:23.18), and Nick Webber also made his club debut, rounding a perfect 1-7 by running 17:35.76.  Tim Larsen (19:35.72) was the only masters male to run, winning the masters race unimpeded.

While today was not a day for PR’s (far from it), each and every runner got better today.  Next up for LRC will be Living History Farms Race, various Turkey Trots, CIM (for the top dogs), culminating with USATF Club XC on 12/8.