By ELLIOTT DONNER

epd002@latech.edu

 

Last Friday, the Tech cross country team won first place in the Mook Five Cross Country race at Lincoln Parish Park.

“This was our first five-mile meet, and with the winds and humidity from the hurricane coming, the team ran very well,” junior William Rogers said.

The team took first place scoring 22 points and had eight finishes in the top ten, showing that Tech dominated this race.

“By the time the race started, the weather was very humid and dark. We all had umbrellas and ponchos waiting for the rain,”  Katherine Fuller, a junior English education major, said.

Fuller was one of the many fans who attended the meet.

“I was pleasantly surprised at the turnout,” she said.

“Not only were parents there, but many students, too.”

Three other schools ran in the race and had their support networks there also.

Centenary College came in second, scoring 65 points.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe came in third  place with 72 points, while Grambling State University came in fourth place with no score.

Sophomore Zach Schulas finished fourth in the race and said he did not mind the weather conditions at all.

He said the overcast weather was better for everyone because it was cooler outside than usual.

“This meet really brought our team closer, and I felt like we all ran together as a team,” Schulas said.

Others also noticed how well the team ran together.

“The guys did a great job despite the threatening weather,” Fuller said.

“They stayed focused and proved themselves as a strong team.”

There were also some younger runners that stood out and proved themselves in the race.

Schulas said freshman Cody Bouillion ran unattached, but gave his all and really stood out showing his dedication and talent.

“Our coach said this is the closest knit team he has ever coached,” Schulas said.

Schulas and Rogers both said they are looking forward to the rest of the season.

Tech’s cross country team will head to Natchitoches to compete in the Northwestern State Invitational on Oct. 3.