WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Lewis-Clark State College junior Jimmy Oribo picked up where he left last spring and helped the Warrior men’s cross country team to a sweep of the top seven places at the season opening Whitman Invitational on Saturday.
Oribo, who earned All-American honors in the 5,000 meters at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships last spring, covered the 6,000-meter course on Saturday in 25 minutes and 43 seconds, winning by more than a minute.
“It was a pretty dominating performance by him as well as the men’s team,” LCSC coach Mike Collins said.
Collins said the last time the Whitman Invite used a 6,000-meter course was in 2003 and Oribo’s time was quite a bit faster than the winning time that year.
The Warrior women, who were missing several competitors, settled for second with 41 points behind host Whitman with 20. Colllins said that the team’s top runner, senior Kelsey Klettke, will likely redshirt this season. Klettke, who finished 11th at the NAIA national cross country meet last season, has been dealing with a calf/hamstring injury and although she can run, Collins said she isn’t at 100 percent. Because Klettke will return to LCSC next year to meet her graduation requirements, Collins said it would be better for her to compete next year.
“She has a chance to do something special so I think it’s best if she waits to run her final year next year,
Collins said.
Collins said.
Freshman Cody Glas finished second for the Warrior men in 26:50, followed by Taylor Galusha in 27:18, Hayden Randall at 27:33, and Nick Pierson, also in 27:33.
What made the top seven sweep impressive is that Collins said the Warriors were without three runners Saturday who expects to be among the top six at the end of the season, including No. 1 runner Dave Marks, who is recovering from an injury in the spring.
Freshman Sophie Bush, running in her first cross country meet, was LCSC’s top female finisher in third in 23:49. Bush played volleyball and ran track in high school. Collins said Bush was in front for part of the race but running the longer distance eventually took its toll.
Chelsey Leighton finished fifth overall in 24:22.
MEN
LCSC finishers - 1, Jimmy Oribo 25:43. 2, Cody Glad 26:50. 3, Taylor Galusha 27:18. 4, Hayden Randall 27:33. 5, Nick Pierson 27:33, 6, Mike McHan 27:43. 7, Tommy Bollinger 27:44. 10, Andy Keim 28:07. 20, Jacob Wimpenny 29:27.
WOMEN
LCSC finishers – 3, Sophie Bush 23:49. 5, Chelsey Leighton 24:22. 11, Nicole Dillavou 24:54. 13, Stephanie Shuel 25:13. 14, Samantha Minor 25:28. 16, Francis Rojas 26:46. 17, Whitlee Young 25:50. 24, Madison Randall 26:36. 25, AnnieKate Olson 26:36. 29, Hannah Maus 27:45. 30, LaDawn Vinson 29:14. 31, Sydnee Morehouse 29:19. 33, Ashlie Renfro 31:58.
