An intimidating course and tough competitors challenged the Kent State women’s cross country team at the Paddy Doyle Iona Meet of Champions Saturday, but the Flashes were able to secure a fourth-place finish against 23 other schools, impressing themselves and their coach.

“To break into the top-five at this race and finish fourth was beyond my expectations,” Kent State coach Mark Croghan said.

Sophomore Kassandra Meholick led the Kent State women on the 6,000-meter course finishing in 22 minutes, 24.3 seconds, taking ninth place overall. Freshman Audrey Maheu finished 19th with a time of 22:46.8. Junior Kelly Gephart took 40th, sophomore Allison Krupko finished 49th and senior Sarah McCourt took 53rd, contributing to the team’s fourth-place finish.

“It was a total team effort,” Croghan said. “The way we finished up the race was the difference between a sixth place and a fourth place finish.”

Meholick agreed that the way the team ran the last mile of the race was what secured the Flashes a spot in the top five.

“We all finished really strong to get every last place we could,” Meholick said.

The hills and gravel footing of the Van Cortlandt Park course are a challenge to most, but Meholick said the terrain of the course was a benefit to strength runners like herself.

“I had an advantage because I ran that course in high school and it was my favorite course,” she said.

Croghan said he was pleased with how the women’s team is progressing and anticipates that they will continue exceeding expectations throughout the 2008 season.

“I was thrilled with the way the women ran this weekend,” he said. “They ran a very competitive race and executed the race plan flawlessly.”

The men’s team failed to meet the requirement of finishing five athletes to receive a team score. Only four Flashes finished the race after sophomore Hosea Kipkemboi dropped out between the first and second mile because of chest pains.

“Not receiving a team score really wasn’t indicative of the way we ran,” Croghan said. “I thought our top three guys did a phenomenal job.”

Senior Tony Jordanek was the top finisher for the men’s team, taking 25th overall with a time of 25:19.3 in the 8,000-meter race. Sophomore John Minen took 29th, finishing in 25:23.4. Senior Joe Parker placed 51st with a time of 25:49.2.

“Whether we finished with a whole team or not, it doesn’t really tell us where we’re at,” Jordanek said.

Still, Jordanek said he thinks the rest of the 2008 season looks bright for the men.

“We’re progressing and things are going really well,” Jordanek said. “We’re going to have a solid top five runners.”

Croghan said he hopes to see the men continually improve and take this meet as a learning experience.

“I think we’re still where we want to be,” Croghan said. “We want to continue to get better and be ready for the (Mid-American Conference) Championship.”

Contact sports reporter Brittany Tatgenhorst at [email protected].