---Jenna Siemer was NKU’s top performer in the women’s five-kilometer run Saturday at the Greater Louisville Classic. Siemer completed the race in 18:45.16, which was good for 68th place.

By Chad Hensley, NKU Sports Information

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Despite running against strong competition in the Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic, the Northern Kentucky University men’s team still produced quality results on Saturday.

Drew Harris, a graduate of Campbell County High School, finished with a personal best time of 24:47.69 over the eight-kilometer course, which was almost 30 seconds than his previous best time that was set last weekend in Chicago, Ill.

“Harris had a very good day after a not so good start this morning. He rebounded and averaged 4:57 on the eight-kilometer course, good for 34th place and the second-fastest time in NKU history, exceeding that same accomplishment run at Loyola last weekend,” NKU head coach Steve Kruse said.

Jenna Siemer, the top finisher for the NKU women’s team, also shaved a considerable amount of time off last week’s performance. Siemer’s five-kilometer time of 18:45.16 was nearly 20 seconds faster than her finish at the Sean Earl Lakefront Classic.

Harris finished in 34th place, while Siemer finished in 68th position in their respective Gold Division races.

Cory Thorne, who was running unattached, won the men’s Gold Division race with a time of 23:45.74 while Janet Jesang of Western Kentucky University won the women’s Gold Division with a time of 16:52.95.

“The teams ran well, but not great, which is what we will need to do achieve our goals at conference, regional, and beyond. With a perfect day on a fast course in Louisville, the Norse ran as a pack and had obviously some very solid races,” Kruse said.

The NKU men’s team finished with 382 points and a 13th-place finish, while the women had 616 points and a 25th-place finish. The men’s Gold Division race included 294 harriers on 33 teams and the women’s race included 265 runners on 32 squads.

“Matthew Shoulta and a returning Zach Koehler, our team’s two co-captains, ran strong as well,” added Kruse.

Shoulta narrowly edged Koehler for 80th place by 0.45 seconds. Shoulta, a native of Paducah, Ky., hustled his way to a time of 25:28.28 while Koehler scampered to a time of 25:28.73.

Ryne Smith (25:42.18; 102nd place), Ben Foley (25:57.37; 124th), Eddie Griffin (26:03.73; 139th), and Eric Dwyer (26:05.51; 144th) rounded out the top seven on the team.

The top seven Norse harriers completed the race with times that ranked in the top 25 time in school history.

Breylen Derrick (26:29.59; 176th), Jonathon Pahren (28:25.87; 276th), and Hunter Durden (30:26.12; 291st) rounded out the roster.

“As fast as our team ran, there were still many faster runners and teams ahead of us which is what we need to concern ourselves with. Our 13th-place finish was just three places behind (NCAA Division II 13th ranked) Southern Indiana. Our pack must get closer to Drew to be truly effective,” Kruse said.

Janice Laker was the second finisher for the women’s team as her 19:07.90 time was good enough for a 99th-place position. Laker, along with Siemer and teammate Jerrica Maddox, ran one of the 25 fastest five-kilometer times in program history.

Maddox, a freshman from Covington, Ky., scampered her way to a time of 19:51.07, which was good enough for 159th place.

Kira Cooper (20:10.76; 184th), Rose Morgan (20:11.53; 186th), and Tarah Cole (20:34.65; 213th) rounded out the women’s roster.

“Jenna Siemer continues to improve as she ran a personal best, as did Janice Laker in a fast and talented field,” Kruse said. “Our women will do much better next week as we sharpen our training and add more speed work to their routine. The best is yet to come for our ladies.”

The University of Texas was the top women’s team with 79 points while Southern Illinois won the men’s competition with 77 points.

The Norse will take to the course once again next week as they travel to Pittsburgh, Pa., to take part in the Carnegie Mellon Invitation at Schenley Park. The first race will begin at 2 p.m.

MEN'S RESULTS

WOMEN'S RESULTS