Cross Country runners upbeat after first meet

Utah State Cross Country competed in the Utah State University Invitational Friday afternoon against three other schools, including BYU, Weber State and Boise State.

This meet is used as a showcase of sorts, so the coaches can get a good look at all of their runners in a meet setting.

“We usually have a meet where we focus on our developing runners,” USU head coach Gregg Gensel said. “This year it worked out that other schools were willing to come to our course to compete with their second group of runners. This meet gave our student-athletes another chance and opportunity to compete.”

The first men’s Aggie finisher was freshman Andrew Rummens who ran a 20:36.05. Rummens was followed by Sophomore Dillon Maggard with a time of 20:39.78. Maggard was trying to bounce back from pneumonia but hopes to be fully healthy by Pre-Nationals on Saturday.

“My lungs are pretty raw right now, but I’m coming back,” Maggard said. “It’s tough, though — it really puts you down. Especially when you’re a runner and your lungs are very important.”

For the women, freshman Shannon Maloney finished first for the Aggies at the 18:35.45 mark. She was followed by freshman Sara Hamberger who ran an 18:45.82 and freshman Miranda O’Very who finished just four seconds behind Hamberger.

“This run boosted my confidence a lot,” Maloney said. “It made me feel good and strong about running and more excited for the season.”

The next Utah State cross country event is Pre-Nationals, which will be held in Louisville, KY on Saturday.

— joebarailo@gmail.com

Twitter: @joefish_2