MARIETTA, Ohio – Saturday’s Sixth Annual Carl Broughton Invitational, hosted by Marietta College, was anything but your normal cross country meet. Rain-soaked trails and heavy humidity made the conditions difficult for the contestants of the 11 schools in the competition. However, Ross Lenehan (Fr./Austintown, OH) and Allie Rendlesham (Sr./Richmond Heights, OH) fought the elements to finish in second and fifth place, respectively. They led the charge as both the NDC Men’s and Women’s teams were able to post Top-5 performances, with the men finishing in third place, and the women finishing in fifth place.
Heidelberg grabbed the men’s title behind four top-ten finishers, and Otterbein was able to ride three top-ten finishers to the women’s title. Overall, there were 189 competitors representing 11 teams. Saturday marked the Falcons' first trip to the annual meet.
Lenehan ran a personal-best in just his second competition for Notre Dame, completing the normally difficult course in 28:13. Senior team captain Kyle Komer (Sr./North Royalton, OH) also earned a Top-15, running a time of 29:16 (14th).
For the women, Rendlesham finished her run in 20:58, while Fran Melzer (So./Maple Heights, OH) supported her team by finishing in 24th place with a time of 21:54. Senior team captain Jenny Rohn placed 36th (22:49).
"The Men's team face a very tough course with high heat and humidity but ran a smart tactile race and performed very well," offered head coach David Bellar of the Falcons' performances. "The Women showed a great deal of heart and determination and turned in a great performance."
Both teams will be back on the trails next weekend (Sept. 19) as they travel to South Bend, Ind., for the annual All-Catholic Invitational.
NEWS FROM THE NEST…
TWO IS A TREND: Saturday’s result was the men’s team second straight top-five finish to start the 2008 season. They had only two top-five finishes all last season.
ALLIE ALL-STAR: With her fifth place finish, Allie Rendlesham has now placed in the Top-5 in six career races. Her highest finish was third place in the Walsh Invitational on September 8, 2007. Overall, she has now been the top finisher for the Falcon women in nine straight meets, dating back to the 2006 season.