Coach Richard Skogsberg and Gender Minority Captain Anneliese Schulz had set a goal this week. While only about a dozen IXC women typically compete at the Lucian Rosa Invite, this year, they would try to have at least 20 women run. The final tally was 25.
“Overall, I am blown away by the number of women that came out to race today,” said Schulz, “It might even be a historical amount.”
Coach Skogsberg was so blown away that he deemed it a club record. “It’s my opinion that it’s a record, so it’s a record.” Said Skogsberg following the race.
Much of the record turnout, comprising 10 of today’s 25 women, were newcomers. Trina Garzonetti, Sam Smith, Isabelle Friend, Maggie Madden, Danielle Leyva, Emma Newsham, Maia Haworth, Erin Kainrath, Grace McDonough, and Audrey Bloomquist all ran their first college 6k today.
The team finished an impressive 3rd overall. Leading the team was Julia Schultz, 15th overall, followed by Schulz in 21st. Junior Noel Brindise had a PR of 25:27, as well as a standout performance today as the team’s 3rd scorer. “It was actually a great race,” said Brindise, “This was an unexpected and much-needed pick-me-up.”
“This is Noel”s course. It was a breakthrough race for her last year and she was our third woman today.” Said Schulz.
Working with Brindise was newcomer Erin Kainrath, who was the team’s 4th scorer.
In addition to Brindise, Sophomore Riley Maloney ran a big PR with a time of 26:26, an impressive performance given the hilly course and humid conditions.
Another standout performance came from newcomer Andy Arriaga. Arriaga is a senior who, while not new to running, is new to IXC. Andrea ran a nearly 30 second PR, running under 29 minutes.
“It really helped me appreciate everything about that whole experience: the trees, the gravel, the downhills, the cheers for our team,” said Arriaga, “Once I saw it was under 29 minutes, I was like, ‘it”s now or never!’”
Like the men, the women’s race was unusually slow. Coach Skogsberg, however, was not very concerned.
“We had multiple women PR, or come close to it, which is extremely impressive given how slow the course was running.” Said Skogsberg.
Results: http://www.wisconsinrunner.com/results/2017rosa/2017_UW_Parkside_Lucian_Rosa_Invite_Women_Overall.htm