This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.
David Beasley, Associate Sports Editor
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012
Volume 46, Issue 2
Arts & Culture
Wet and wild was the name of the game Friday afternoon, as Clackamas Community Collegehosted the Mike Hodges Invitational. Chains of runners strewn about the trail, appeared to advance effortlessly through the deluge of mist and rain.
Onlookers and passersby adorned rain gear and umbrellas. There was a playful mood in the air, with excitement for the first rain of fall and the opportunity to run in the rain. The countrycrossers stormed the trail, taking on the elements and traversing the terrain, in a dazzling display of skill, willpower and stamina.
“Runners set!” the orders from the megaphone declared, and the race literally began with a bang as the starter pistol was fired. A stampede of athletes sped down the open field, disappearing around a corner of trees and bushes to continue along the uneven course. The women’s 5,000-meter race around the cross country path began with some runners battling the cold weather while keeping up with the pack.
As the race wore on, many who had been chilly, started to warm up and enjoy the run in the rain.
“I like running in the rain,” said Clackamas’ Randi Chance as she smiled and looked up toward the misty sky.
“I run better in the rain,” said Grace Viuhkola, Clackamas’ top runner. “I don’t sweat, so it’s nice, the rain cools me down.”
This year, the ladies of Clackamas have a strong team bond. “We had a team camp at the beginning of the season that really broke the ice and helped the team feel more like a family,” said Chance.
“We have a really close-knit team this year,” said Viuhkola. “Everyone cheers each other on and it makes us a stronger team.”
The women had to overcome the obstacle of having their most successful runner, Cia Bywater, sitting out due to a foot injury. The girls shined in true Cougar cross country fashion. Viuhkola finished 12th overall with a time of 20:58, despite battling a chest cold.
“It was hard for us as a team without Cia running,” said Viuhkola. “We are looking at this race and the next at Lane, as good preparation for NWAACC Championships in a month.”
“Grace has really stepped up in the last couple weeks and shown she can be a leader on this team,” said head coach Jarret Mantalas. “She battled really hard and fought during the race.”
Chance finished second for Clackamas with a great time of 22 minutes even. “I thought I could have run faster,” Chance admitted. “I ran the course yesterday and ran it faster.”
Mantalas seemed pleased with her progress.
“Randi ran almost the same time here on a significantly harder course as she did at the Willamette Invite,” said Mantalas.
Joanna Feeney was CCC’s next finisher in 28th with a time of 22:28. Zaira Sanchez ran the firstcross country race of her life, finishing 38th in 24:20.
“It was a little bit of a shocker for her,” said Mantalas. “But, she battled and fought tough. She’s a hurdler at heart, not really a true cross country runner, but she’s starting to show it.”
Running long distances, nonstop, for extended periods of time, is no small feat. Friday was a stunning display of willpower. With excitement building for this season’s upcoming NWAACC championships on Nov. 10, there’s no better time to be paying attention to the fantastic runners of team Clackamas.
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