The UChicago cross country teams ventured to Wisconsin this past Saturday to partake in the Lucian Rosa Invitational. They looked to continue their momentum, having already started the season strong. The women’s team capitalized with three top 30 finishes, while the men’s team placed three in the top 40.
The UChicago women’s cross country team recorded a fifth-place finish in an event attended by 10 teams, with a score of 131 points. The team was led by second-year Lucy Kenig-Ziesler, who finished 13th in the 6K with a time of 23:36. Second-year Taylor Campos finished in 23:53, receiving 17th place, joining Ziesler in the category of top 20 finishers for the event. First-year Annika Hildebrandt received 30th place after completing the 6K in 24:31, followed by fellow first-years Sophia Smith (46th, 25:30) and Janet Fee (82nd, 28:16).
When asked about her leadership role and working with the first-years, Campos said, “It has been great to share our team culture with the first-years. I hadn't realized the extent of our team traditions until I was in a position this year to explain them to the new runners. I definitely think the leadership of our fourth-years, combined with the ‘fresh’ perspective of the second-years, has provided the first-years with a grasp of how united our team culture is.”
The UChicago men’s cross country team received sixth place, with the team led by third-year John Judge, who placed 32nd in the 8K with a time of 27:57. He was immediately followed by second-year Tim Koenning, who placed 33rd with the same time. In the 110-runner event, Owen Melia (39th, 28:14), Kirk Lancaster (43rd, 28:22), Alex Ho (46th, 28:36), Jackson Mariotti (66th, 29:26), and Abe Herzog-Arbeitman (68th, 29:31) also contributed for the Maroons in the 8K.
On the women’s side, Wheaton won the title, followed by second-place Marquette and third-place Carroll. As for the men’s team, Indiana Wesleyan won the meet with 40 points, followed by second-place Wheaton and third-place Marquette.
“We have been working on communicating our plans for the workout or race effectively with each other,” Campos said. “We are a very strong group of individual leaders and workers, but we are definitely at our best when we work cohesively during workouts and races. Pack-running—along with mutual respect and care for every teammate—is definitely something that elevates UChicago as a team to be reckoned with.”
The goals set by the team are high, with Campos adding, “One of the goals the team has is to improve our finishing position at NCAA nationals. Last year, I was the only first-year to run at nationals. UChicago’s team culture is truly second to none: The support we have for each other in all aspects of our lives is as deep as the talent we have this season, and I think that friendship is reflected in the cohesive, strong races we execute.”
The next race for the Maroons will be at the Principia Cowbell Classic, on Saturday, October 14 at 11 a.m.
