Wildcats Start Season Strong at the JK Gold Classic

Saturday, September 1

Augusta, Kan.

8:30 A.M.

Kansas State University

JK Gold Classic

Sep 01, 2018 | Cross Country

Results (.pdf)Photo Gallery

By: Wildcats Start Season Strong at the JK Gold Classic

WICHITA, Kan. – The Kansas State men's and women's cross country teams opened their 2018 season on Saturday, where the Wildcat men placed first, led by six individuals in the top-15, and the women's team placed second overall, led by senior Emma Wren at the 70^th annual JK Gold Classic at Four Mile Creek Resort in Augusta, Kansas.

The K-State men won the 70^th annual JK Gold Classic by scoring a meet-best 25 points in the men's race, followed by Wichita State's 30 points. In the women's race, the K-State women scored 54 points to place second behind only Wichita State, who scored 22 points.

"The first meet is always a great opportunity to see the difference between training and competition and to see who can compete," Head Coach Ryun Godfrey said. "We saw some good things today in both races. I feel good about what's coming this season."

The K-State men put together an all-around effort, as six Wildcat scorers finished in the top-15 overall, five of which are freshmen.

Senior Joe Gorthy led the Wildcat men with a third-place finish by crossing the line in 19:04.6. The Wildcats put three runners in the top-five of the race, including Gorthy, freshman David Lutgen (4^th, 19:04.7) and redshirt freshman Jackson Schroeder (5^th, 19:04.7).

"The freshmen really stepped up and did a good job. It's just more exciting for them to get in this environment and start off the season," Godfrey said. "The guys held a good pack throughout the race, if we can keep that together throughout the season, there can be some good things coming."

A trio of Wildcats - Joe Gorthy, David Lutgen and Jackson Schroeder - cross the line first for the Wildcats pic.twitter.com/TzlyPe0Yua
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) September 1, 2018

Also placing for the Wildcats, freshman Cooper Schroeder (6^th, 19:08.3) and redshirt freshman Dylan Brenneman put together a strong race to finish 12^th overall in 19:41.7, followed by redshirt freshman Pierce Flanders, who finished 16^th in 20:02.1.

Now it's the #KStateXC women's turn

Here is our #KStateXC women's lineup today:
Sydney Collins
Kassidy Johnson
Anna Keeley
Karley Larson
Cara Melgares
Tori Robinson
Emma Wren pic.twitter.com/jcTPiXN61i
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) September 1, 2018

In the women's race, Wren led the Wildcats with a top-five finish by crossing the line in 14:33.6, finishing fifth overall. Along with Wren, sophomore Cara Melgares (6^th, 14:35.6) and junior Sydney Collins (9^th, 14:47.4) each finished in the top-10 overall.

Sophomore Kassidy Johnson also ran an impressive race for the Wildcat women, finishing 11^th in 14:55.3, a 20 second personal best from a season ago. Junior Anna Keeley finished 32^nd in 16:00.6, followed by sophomore Victoria Robinson (39^th, 16:17.2) and freshman Karley Larson (49^th, 16:45.2).

"We'll get some training in this week and try and taper down a little bit going into the weekend," Godfrey said. "Going back to back weekends can shock the system a bit, but it's also good for them to race."

The Wildcats will have a quick turnaround, as the men's and women's teams travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin to compete in the Vic Godfrey Open on September 8. The Vic Godfrey Open is named after Victor Earl Godfrey, head coach Ryun Godfrey's father.

The #KStateXC men's team finishes first overall at the JK Gold Classic with 25 points! The Wildcats place six individuals in the top-15 pic.twitter.com/YLgR1zID08
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) September 1, 2018

For the latest on K-State cross country follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.

Women's team finishes: 1. Wichita State, 22 points; 2. K-State, 54 points; 3. Missouri State, 61 points; 4. Newman, 102 points; 5. Friends, 131 points; 6. Emporia State, 165 points.

Women's top-5: 1. Rebekah Topham, Wichita State, 13:48.2; 2. Winny Koskei, Wichita State, 13:49.9; 3. Winnie Kibet, Wichita State, 14:32.7; 4. Grace Breiten, Missouri State, 14:33.5; 5. Emma Wren, Kansas State, 14:33.6

K-State women's finishes: 5. Emma Wren, 14:33.6; 6. Cara Melgares, 14:35.6; 9. Sydney Collins, 14:47.4; 11. Kassidy Johnson, 14:55.3; 32. Anna Keeley, 16:00.6; 39. Victoria Robinson, 16:17.2; 49. Karley Larson, 16:45.2.

Men's team finishes: 1. K-State, 25 points; 2. Wichita State, 30 points; 3. Emporia State, 84 points; 4. Friends, 117 points; 5. Neosho, 154 points.

Men's top-5: 1. Zack Penrod, Wihita State, 18:55.5; 2. Clayton Duchatschek, Wichita State, 18:59.7; 3. Joe Gorthy, Kansas State, 19:04.6; 4. David Lutgen, Kansas State, 19:04.7; 5. Jackson Schroeder, Kansas State, 19:04.7.

K-State men's finishes: 3. Joe Gorthy, 19:04.6; 4. David Lutgen, 19:04.7; 5. Jackson Schroeder, 19:04.7; 6. Cooper Schroeder, 19:08.3; 7. Charlie Parrish, 19:09.2; 13. Dylan Brenneman, 19:41.7; 16. Pierce Flanders, 20:02.1; --. Kurt Loevenstein, 20:43.1; --. Travis Hodge, 20:43.6; --. Noah Stevenson, 21:09.2.