Sept. 4, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue Boilermaker cross country teams race a limited race on Saturday in the Great American Legends meet at the Purdue Varsity Cross Country Course, with seniors David Rae and Amber Ferner claiming first-place finishes. The women's race, which started at noon, was a 4k event that featured the Boilermaker women and the women's squad from Northwestern. Ferner was the first-place finisher, nipping junior Lindsay Zinn at the line. Ferner finished with a time of 15:29.20, while Zinn was less than a half second behind at 15:29.68. "Our first group ran just like we planned," head coach Jack Warner said. "We wanted to get 15 minutes at 4k, and we were right on. I'm very pleased with the runners in the front and there was a pleasant surprise in the back group - they ran a lot better than expected. Everything went just as planned and as was scripted, so I couldn't ask for anything better." Pushing Ferner and Zinn across the finish line was Kara Lahey, who also finished under 15:30 with a 15:29.96. Following the top three Boilermakers were Kaleena Cappel (16:13.47), Corrie Whisner (16:25.50) and Rachel Kroll (16:30.86). "We had a race plan before we went out," Ferner said. "Coach wanted four of us to stay together for the first 2k. We did that, and were a little fast but it was okay. Since we did the first 2k together, we decided to finish together. We felt great despite the heat, so once it cools down we'll be set." On the men's side, Rae circled the 6k course with the top time of 19:59.98, followed by Justin Stadt (20:19.00) and Kirk Baleskie (20:21.32). Stadt and Baleskie are newcomers to the Boilermaker squad. "I'm mildly surprised with the men's finishes," Warner said. "I knew David Rae would do well, and I'm pleased with the effort made by Kirk Baleskie. He was set in the second pack, and worked his way up to the first. We had five or six guys close together there at the end, and if we could get a few more that would be great. "Today's race was encouraging," Warner said, "but we still have a long way to go with the men. I'm anxious to see how we perform next week (at Indiana State). I'm very pleased with both teams and am excited to see where we go from here." Other top finishers for the Boilermaker men include Eric Hammond (20:27.63), Zach Wilder (20:35.80) and Justin Gauthier (20:41.46). "This race we focused more on the team and we ran the first 3k as a pack," Rae said. "The second 3k I decided to stride out a little on my own. I felt okay, but I'm still trying to get back in shape. I'm pleased with this race, and the newcomers ran awesomely. We've got so many young runners, so it's nice to see they're adapting to Purdue." The Boilermakers travel to Terre Haute, Ind., for the Indiana State Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 11.