Sept. 10, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Freshman Mason Kolhoff is off to an impressive start, helping the Grand Rapids Community College men's cross country team finish in sixth place out of 10 teams at the annual Calvin Knight Invitational at Calvin University’s Gainey Complex.
For the second consecutive meet, GRCC was the only community college team competing. The men's team finished ahead of four four-year institutions Alma College, Kalamazoo College, Cleary University and Albion College.
The women’s team also fared well against nine four-year schools in the 6K run, defeating Alma and Adrian College.
Men's team coach Rob Hyde was impressed by his team’s performance, even though 2021 All-American Coleman Clark was again unable to run.
"Most guys ran faster through their 5K during the 8K run today," Hyde said. "Mason had a very positive run race setting him up for what could be a very special freshman season while Andrew (Periard) and Dan (Kehoe) pushed each other to good performances. Overall, we're moving in the right direction and I'm very proud of our men today."
Kolhoff finished with a time of 27:28 good enough for 34th place out of 123 total runners.
Freshman Kehoe and sophomore Periard had fine performances as well, both finishing in under 29 minutes with times of 28:46 and 28:52.
Other GRCC finishers included sophomore Lucas Schneider in 29:37, 76th place; sophomore Derek Hopkins in 30:04, 88th place; freshman Craig Fuller in 30:47, 96th place; and sophomore Zachary Richards in 32:28, 110th place.
All-American Kaylee Scott again led the women's team in a field of 108 runners, finishing in 37th place with a time of 24:56.
Sophomore Rose Meyer was impressive, defeating teammate Audrey Meyering for the first time with a time of 25:32. Meyering, a two-time All-American, finished seven seconds back taking 45th place.
Freshmen Mariana Zaragoza, Chloe Jones, Samantha Sixberry and Zoe Zawacki rounded out the Raider women with times of 27:09, 27:50, 28:47 and 31:27.
GRCC is next scheduled to compete in their first home meet of the season which will be a 5K run for the women and 8K for the men. That event is scheduled for Sept. 17, and it will again be held at the Gainey Athletic Complex.