Gonzaga University
Inland Northwest Cross Country Classic
Bulldog Cross Country Has Encouraging Debut
9/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Sept. 4, 2010
MOSCOW, Idaho - The veterans wore the jersey and impressed their coach, but some of the freshmen running unattached also caught the eye of Gonzaga University head cross country coach Pat Tyson Saturday at the Idaho Cup and Clash of the Northwest Classic season-opening meet.
The Bulldog women finished second and the men third, but Tyson went into the race wanting to learn more about his team and they learn something about each other.
Mission accomplished.
"We learned we have some freshmen that say they want to wear the jersey. These were pretty good high school kids we brought in. But then you look at Ian Berge on the men's side - Mr. Steady Man - a senior who ran probably the best race of his life today. Chris Boyle was solid up front and Tate Kelly and Brad Kachigan turned in strong efforts," Tyson said.
Freshmen ran unattached to preserve their eligibility.
Boyle finished fourth in 25:48.34 over the 8K layout at Virgil Phillips Farm County Park located between Moscow and Potlatch north of the University of Idaho, host for the event. Berge was 14th in 26:33.53, Kelly 19th in 26:48.18 and Kachigan 21st in 26:50.94.
Gonzaga was third with 69 points. Idaho won the men's race with 34 points, led by the one-two finish of Markus Geiger in 24:52.81 and Barry Britt in 25:03.97.
Tyson was also impressed with the performance of the women.
"Kayla Lloyd was just outstanding, Laura Volcheff looked very good up front and Lauren Bergam turned in a strong race. And we ran without Brenn Donnelly and Elizabeth Slamkowski (both held out for injury purposes)," Tyson said.
Lloyd was third in 18:17.75 over the 6K layout, the first cross country competition held at the venue. Volcheff was right behind in 18:32.72 and Bergam was 12th in 19:08.84.
The women were second with 48 points behind Idaho with 28. Kelsey Klettke of Lewis-Clark State College took individual honors in 17:48.41.
"We have more to learn and we have eight weeks," Tyson said, referring to the West Coast Conference Championship Oct. 30.
