Results

BELOIT, Wisconsin – The Prairie Fire's long-distance runners had an exceptional showing at the two-day Beloit Relays on Friday and Saturday.

Junior Brian Cole (Warson Woods, MO, Webster Groves) won the 10,000 meter race in a new meet record time of 33:19.93 that ranks #6 on the Knox all-time top 10 individual list.  Assistant track and field coach Alex Moreno described the race as one of the most exciting he's seen in years.

"Brian fought a pack of six runners all capable of winning.  His willingness to follow my directions and believe in himself made this win possible.  While Brian was being passed and boxed in, he responded with his own surge and bury technique...broke away and kicked it in for the win.  Rain, 40 degree cold, 15 mile per hour wind, and running at 9:00 pm (Friday) did not discourage this young man," Moreno said.

In addition, sophomore Josh Tvrdy (Tucson, AZ, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy) placed seventh in the 10K in 34:02.32, the #9 fastest time by an individual in the event.  He also scored with a seventh place finish in the 1500 meters (4:25.13).

The Prairie Fire swept the top three spots in the men's 5K, led by Cole in first (16:45.14).  Following him across the finish line was junior Victor Schultz (Staunton, VA, Robert E. Lee) in second place and sophomore Joseph Gilmore (North Pole, AK, North Pole) third, both of whom set personal records during the meet.  First-year Joy Kannookaden (Mount Prospect, IL, John Hersey) was seventh in the 5K as Knox scored a whopping 26 points in the race.

First-year Rebecca Katz (Columbia, MO, David H. Hickman) led the women's squad with a third place finish in the 10K in 40:28.63, the #5 fastest event time in Knox women's track history.  "What an amazing performance by a first-year runner," Moreno added.  "Nobody has climbed that high on that list in 24 years." 

Katz also claimed fourth in the 5K (19:50.94).

Sophomore Jessica Fritts (Scottsdale, AZ, Foothills Academy) led the field performers, placing fifth in the hammer throw (115' 2") and seventh in the discus (88' 5").

Junior Brennan Mc Glauchlen (Inver Grove Heights, MN, Simley) was seventh in the javelin (135' 3").

Two sprinters scored in their events.  Junior Carolina Goncalves (Chicago, IL, Walter Payton College Prep) finished seventh in the 400 meters (1:07.74) and first-year James Egan (Chicago, IL, CICS Northtown Academy) placed eighth in the 100 meters (:59.75).

Knox placed fifth in the men's team standings (43 points) and sixth among the women's teams (19.2 points).

The Prairie Fire conclude the regular season on Saturday, May 2 at the Fighting Scot Invitational.  The meet is the final tune-up before the Midwest Conference outdoor track and field championships May 8-9 at Ripon College.