Galen Piper Cross Country Challenge Recap

Story by Phil Marshall

The Hawks Cross Country team participated in the Galen Piper Cross Country Challenge at Shippensburg University this past Friday.

The Hawks were led by freshman Henry Schmidt who placed 13th out of 82 runners with a time of (20:04.8) and was the 10th collegiate finisher.

The HCC men finished sixth as a team in the 6-kilometer race and were the only junior college team in the competition.

"The men's team made nice progress in closing gaps and running closer to one another as team," Head Coach Mike Spinnler said. "Henry Schmidt led the way holding his own against excellent NCAA Division I & II competition and his teammates rallied behind his example."

Khelsa led the HCC women's group with a 22nd place finish in the 4-kilometer race with a time of (16:46.0) but did not have a complete team.

It was the collegiate debut for both HCC front runnners.

Other HCC notables were Nate McKinsey who finished 28th with a time of (21:01.1), Saige Gipond was 53rd (22:05.9), Garrett Kercheval was 56th (22:11.6) and Malik Bagwell-Cook ended the race in 67th with a time of (23:23.3).

"The all freshman contingent of Nate McKinsey, Sage Vipond, Garrett Kerchavel, and Malik Bagwell-Cook who are all Washington County Public School products all made nice improvements from the previous week at the Dickinson College," Spinnler said. "This team is progressing nicely towards the MD JUCO/Region XX Championships that will be at hosted at HCC on October 26."

Next up for the Hawks is the Blazer Twilight Invitational hosted by Hood College on Friday September 13th at 4:00PM.  The competition will take place at Utica District Park in Frederick County.