Stepping up to the challenge

Runner Leah Twombly sets the pace for the LCC women's cross country team at the Oct. 18 Mike Hodges Invitational Meet in Oregon City, Ore. Photo courtesy of DAVID SHERMAN

The LCC cross country team competed in the Mike Hodges Invitational Meet in Oregon City, Ore. on Oct. 18.

University of Oregon, Portland State University and Willamette University proved to be tough competitors. The LCC men's team managed to handle the adversity well, finishing eighth.

"For the first time the team was prepared to run fast," Head Coach Travis Floeck said.

In the four-mile run Travis Stevens finished with a time of 21 minutes eight seconds, helping to propel LCC in the meet. Stevens finished in 37 place out of 121 runners, becoming one of the catalysts for the LCC men breaking ground in the four-mile run.

Floeck called Stevens the Titans' "No. 1 man" for being able to step up while minor injuries kept sophomore Lukas Fenley out of competition.

Another notable LCC athlete is Miguel Velez, who finished in 21 minutes, 25 seconds, placing 51.

Runners Alex Jones and Joey Nelson performed well on the four-mile course where they posted competitive times. Jones and Nelson finished 21:53 and 21:55 respectively.

Overall the men looked sharp and it became apparent that they wanted to come out and make their presence known. Hopefully this meet will provide the LCC men's team with confidence going into the Southern Region Championship Meet on Oct. 25.

In the woman's 5000-meter race (3.1 miles) the Titans finished fifth overall.

"The girls did exceptionally well. Everyone ran really hard," Floeck said.

Runner Leah Twombly was a focal point of the women's team with a time of 18:30, good enough for 29 place and a personal record for Twombly by 44 seconds.

The LCC women followed Twombly's example by putting up good numbers.

Annie Hayward and Mikayla Bradbury were two of the competitors from LCC to set the bar in a field of 125 women competing. Hayward had a time of 19 minutes 31 seconds while her teammate Bradbury had a time of 19 minutes 42 seconds and together they helped LCC provide the spark to press their competition.

The women look to continue improvement in the future with the leadership of their coach, Floeck, and Twombly who showed determination during the Mike Hodges Invitational.

Floeck commended his team for having stuck to the run plans.

The LCC men's and women's cross county teams have a promising look for the end of the season. Going into the regional championship meet the Titans are favored to come out on top.