The Wittenberg men's and women's cross country teams tuned up for the 2005 North Coast Athletic Conference championship meet on Oct. 29 with one of the best overall performances in several years. The Tiger men placed ninth in a deep field at the Wilmington Fall Classic, while the Tiger women stood seventh when the meet concluded.
Sophomore Mike Echols (Springfield, Ohio/North) was again the men's team's top finisher, crossing the finish line in a personal best time of 27:28. That was good for a 31st place finish. He was followed closely by freshman Gabe Savage (Lewisburg, Ohio/Tri-County North), who also had a personal best time as he hit the finish line in 27:51.
On the women's side, the improvement continues to show. Freshman Erin Hedrick (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) nearly reached her season-best time, finishing 21st in a field of 139 runners in a time of 20:53. She was followed by freshman Abby McCutcheon (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster), who reached the finish line in 21:21. That was good for 33rd place.
The Tigers now have a week off to get ready for the NCAC Championship meet, which will be hosted by Denison. Wittenberg is hoping to move up from an eighth place finish for the women and a ninth place finish for the men in 2004.