Taking Shape In Northfield

NORTHFIELD, Minn. (10/01/16)—Concordia's team is starting to take shape as the Cobbers head into the second month of competition. The Cobbers had the same runners in their Top 5 for the second straight meet and finished 14th at the Running of the Cows Invite hosted by Carleton.

Concordia's Top 3 have posted quality times all season long. Junior Brandon Quibell, senior Matthew Lillehaugen and freshman Eric Wicklund all crossed the finish line at the 8K course in under 29 minutes. They were the only three CC athletes to break the 30-minute mark in Northfield.

Quibell has stepped into the role as the team's No.1 runner this year. He led all Concordia harriers on Saturday by posting a time of 27:45 which was good for a 55th-place finish. Quibell has now led the team in the three meets he has competed in this season.

Lillehaugen and Wicklund were close behind Quibell on the winding, nature-filled course. Lillehaugen also broke the 28-minute mark and was in the Top 65 of the meet which featured 244 competitors. He came home in 62nd place with a time of 27:58.6. Lillehaugen has been in the Top 3 of the team in all four competitions this year.

Wicklund was just off the pace of Quibell and Lillehaugen. He recorded a time of 28:13.6 and has given the Cobbers a solid Top 3.

Nick Solheim and Will Corbett have been the No.4 and No.5 runners for the Cobbers in the last two meets and both are starting to improve as the season rolls along. Solheim nearly broke the 30-minute mark as he clocked a 30:01.4 and Corbett finished with a mark of 30:18.1.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will stay closer to home for its next meet as they compete at the annual Jamestown Invitational at the Pipestem Dam in Jamestown, N.D. That meet will take place on Friday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m.