NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. -- Perfect weather conditions and a fast course contributed to personal best times at Saturday's Charger Invite hosted by Briar Cliff at the Adams Nature Preserve course. Every Bruin who competed set a lifetime best at their respective distances: eight kilometers (4.97 miles) for the men and six kilometers (3.73 miles) for the women. Sunny skies, a light breeze and temperatures near 50 created ideal running conditions over the hard-packed crushed limestone loop around the preserve.
The women got things started as both Bruin runners cut an average of a minute and a half from their outings at Wayne State two weeks ago. Alicia Rivera Camargo improved to 24:51.6, placing 114th among the 224 finishers. Olivia Russo cut her time to 26:22.3 in 175th place. The Bruins did not field a complete team in the meet, which was won by NAIA's ninth-ranked Dordt University. The first individual was Sioux Falls' Khot Juac, running 20:54.5.
Like the women, all of the Bruin men set personal bests as well. Continuing his outstanding senior season and finishing in 17th place overall of 217 finishers was Richard Marcoux. Marcoux's time of 25:28.8 was a personal best as well as a new Bruin school record. Next in 90th position was Colin Kotz, turning in a lifetime best 27:08.1. Bruin freshmen turned in their best outings of the season as Robbie Siford cut a minute from his previous record and Enoc Ortega sliced thirty seconds from his best. Siford ran 29:17.7 for 161st while Ortega was seventeen spots back in 178th, crossing the line in 29:53.7. The Bruins did not field a full team of five in the meet, which was won by Dordt's men, currently ranked sixth in the NAIA. Tanner Maier of NCAA Division II's Minnesota State-Mankato was the individual champion in 24:39.2
Head Coach Craig Christians: "I thought we made a big step today, particularly with our more inexperienced runners like Alicia, Robbie, and Enoc. They cut big chunks of time, and this is a big boost for their confidence. It's a great day when every person in the program sets a lifetime best. We're continuing to train hard, and if we can run like this when we're tired, I can't wait to see what happens with a little more rest."
The Bruins travel a short distance down I-80 next Friday when they compete in the Creighton University-hosted Platte River Rumble at Mahoney State Park. The meet features an array of talent from Division I to junior college. The afternoon races begin at 1:00 p.m. with the women's 6K followed by the men at 1:45 p.m.
