Posted: Nov 18, 2013

Mangelsdorf Headed to Nationals

ROCK ISLAND, IL. – It was an exciting day at Saukie Golf Course where Augustana College hosted the Midwest regional meet, the only race where teams and individual runners can qualify for the national meet. The conditions were slightly rainy with wind, though the temperature was fairly warm considering the weather. The women ran first at 11AM and the men followed at 12:30PM.

Principia's men's team stood on the line with thirty-nine other teams. The gun rang out and just shy of 300 runners headed down the first straight. The men also had to fight through crowds of runners, especially in the first mile. As the men reached the last section of the first loop, (of two) senior Wylie Mangelsdorf sat in the back of the first pack. As he reached the start of the second loop though, he moved into first with another runner right on his heels and a third also close behind. Senior Derrick Fleming was next in sight, running tall as he entered the second lap. Freshman Shane Witters Hicks was running third for the team with senior Kynan Witters Hicks close behind. Senior Garrett Fielding and freshman Nate Richards were next for Principia with freshman Gavin Goodsell following soon after. All started the second lap looking very strong.

As the second lap came to an end, Wylie sat in second place with a runner right beside him. As they came to the final stretch though, Wylie broke away from the runner in third and gained considerable distance on the first runner. He crossed the line in second place with a huge personal record of 24:24.0. His finish earned him a spot in the national race next weekend. Derrick Fleming came in second for Principia with a great finish. Shane Witters Hicks looked strong as he entered the final straightaway and surged to the finish. Kynan Witters Hicks crossed the line soon after, never letting up until the end. Nate Richards finished fifth for the team, less than thirty seconds behind Kynan. Garrett Fielding placed sixth for the team and Gavin Goodsell finished in seventh, both with strong finishes. The men's team placed well in thirteenth.

Thirty-eight teams were on the line at the start of the women's race. The gun went off and Principia's seven runners headed down the beginning stretch and into the first loop of the race. The field was crowded and the first mile was a little rough as Principia's runners fought to create space for themselves. As the women approached the three-kilometer mark, junior Sarah Litwiller was sitting comfortably in the second pack of runners, not too far behind the front pack. Emily Osborne, a senior, was next in line for Principia, running smoothly as she began the second loop of the race. Sophomore Shontee Pant ran third for Principia at the halfway mark, looking strong, with sophomore Kyla Pelletier right with her. The two packed up for the start of the second lap of the race. Senior Haley Morton came through the halfway point next, running fifth for the team. Madison Flannery, a freshman, was sixth for the team and senior Gabriela Schwenker ran seventh.

As the women entered the last 1,000 meters, Sarah Litwiller was running in the top 25. As she hit the final stretch, she gave it her all and finished in 23^rd place with a time of 22:33.0, a great race. Emily Osborne was next in for Principia with a strong finish. She came through in 23:29.4. Shontee Pant looked determined as she came to the last straightaway and put on a surge, passing runners right before the finish. Kyla Pelletier was close behind, also giving her all until she crossed the line. Haley Morton, though she had a tough race, never gave up and finished strong as well. Madison Flannery came in next, beating her personal record by over a minute. Gabriela Schwenker crossed the line soon after, finishing well. The women's team finished in 22^nd place. It was a great end to their season.