WILMINGTON – Evan Whitaker led the charge for the Wilmington College cross country program at Friday’s sixth annual JennaStrong Fall Classic cross country invitational on the WC campus.

Whitaker, the OAC men’s cross country runner of the week last week, finished 20th among 369 competitors in 25:44.4. The time is the fastest ever by a WC freshman.

“The men had a great race for the third week in a row,” WC head coach Ron Combs said. “Along with Evan [Whitaker]’s spectacular performance, we had a lot of personal-best times including by Gage Clemens and Ryan Honkomp.”

Miami of Ohio was the men’s team winner while Ball State won the women’s race. Unattached runner Makorobondo Salukombo won the men’s race in 24:24.3. Anna Brandt of Cleveland State ran 17:55.6 and won the women’s race.

The event is named after Jenna Parlette, a Wilmington College runner who collapsed while leading a race at Franklin College in 2013 and passed away several days later.

“It was a great day for the cross country program to run in front of the crowd,” Combs said. “It’s excited to see how much both teams have improved from this event last year.”

Jacob Whitaker and Katie Hughes, both Clinton-Massie graduates, competed for Wilmington. Whitaker was 107th in the men’s race while Hughes was 118th in the women’s race.

Wilmington will have a week off before competing in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championships Oct. 27.

SUMMARY

Oct. 12, 2018

JennaStrong Fall Classic

@Wilmington College

Men’s Results

Team scores

Top 5: Miami Ohio 58 Shawnee State 86 Northern Kentucky 113 Ohio Northern 131 Wooster 200. 9-Wilmington 277

Individuals (369 runners)

1, Makorobondo Salukombo (Una) 24:24.3

20, Evan Whitaker (WC) 25:44.4

56, Gage Clemens (WC) 26:37.2

74, Cameron Phelps (WC) 26:57.4

90, Ryan Honkomp (WC) 27:09.2

107, Jacob Whitaker (WC) 27:21.4

164, George Rickett (WC) 28:13.5

167, Taton Bertsch (WC) 28:15.8

182, Austin Wampler (WC) 28:30.1

Women’s Results

Team Scores

Top 5: Ball State 48 Northern Kentucky 61 Cleveland State 135 Miami Ohio 164 Ohio Northern 206. 20-Wilmington

Individuals (308 runners)

1, Anna Brandt (Cle St) 17:55.6

79, Savannah Rhodes (WC) 20:12.9

118, Katie Hughes (WC) 20:57.7

145, Allison Helmke (WC) 21:30.9

181, Kendra Stahl (WC) 22:06.7

216, Kelly Rice (WC) 22:54.9

234, Mckenzie Hamm (WC) 23:34.1

251, Jenna Kostecki (WC) 24:19.9

256, Kayci Johnson (WC) 24:35.3

278, Cheyenne Rhodes (WC) 25:43.6

285, Sieara Rottroff (WC) 26:34.9

289, Miranda Gibson (WC) 27:18.9

Evan Whitaker posted the fastest time ever in a cross country race for a Wilmington College freshman.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/10/web1_CC_wc_evanwhitakerMWa.jpgEvan Whitaker posted the fastest time ever in a cross country race for a Wilmington College freshman. Courtesy Photo | Madi Wellendorf, Wilmington College

The reason everyone gathered for the JennaStrong Fall Classic, the smiling face of Jenna Parlette, who passed away in 2013.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/10/web1_CC_wc_jennaMWa.jpgThe reason everyone gathered for the JennaStrong Fall Classic, the smiling face of Jenna Parlette, who passed away in 2013. Courtesy Photo | Madi Wellendorf, Wilmington College

Clinton-Massie graduate Katie Hughes (9311) at the JennaStrong Fall Classic.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/10/web1_CC_wc_katiehughesMWa.jpgClinton-Massie graduate Katie Hughes (9311) at the JennaStrong Fall Classic. Courtesy Photo | Madi Wellendorf, Wilmington College

Blanchester graduate Savannah Rhodes (9315) at the JennaStrong Fall Classic.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/10/web1_CC_wc_savannahrhodesMWa.jpgBlanchester graduate Savannah Rhodes (9315) at the JennaStrong Fall Classic. Courtesy Photo | Madi Wellendorf, Wilmington College