Conditions were hot and humid as the Wichita State cross-country team opened their season in Tulsa, Okla. competing in the Hurricane Cross Country Festival. 

The meet was scored as a dual meet with a few solid individual performances. Head coach Kirk Hunter was pleased with his runners’ performances. He was quoted on goshockers.com. 

“I was really pleased with the group of newcomers and redshirts we brought to run in this first meet,” he said. “We didn’t bring our older individual performers that would compete to win the duel scores in order to get the young runners some experience, but I was very happy, and they did a great job.”

Top finisher in the four-mile run for WSU was Paul Raymond, with a time of 20:36. Not far behind was Austin Sturdy, who placed one spot below Raymond, with a time of 20:37. 

“We didn’t beat any notable teams due to sending a younger and less experienced squad, but we had some very solid individual performances,” Raymond said. “Despite being young, our freshman squad is a very impressive group. I believe they will improve to a level where they can contribute to the team by scoring points.

“Personally, I was pleased with the result of my race. I felt I stuck to the plan set by Coach Hunter and the team. We planned to stay together for most of the race and remain calm and relaxed. Sturdy was impressive in how he ran, as well. Overall, it was a great season opener, and with the older, more experienced group added, we are looking at a potentially very deep roster.”

The men ran against No. 4 Oklahoma State, No. 13 Arkansas, No. 28 Tulsa, No. 28 Oklahoma and UL-Monroe, while the women’s team ran against No. 7 Arkansas, No. 19 Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Tulsa.

The men’s cross country team will be running in the J.K. Gold Classic next Saturday, Sept. 6, at the RAFT Course in Augusta.

Results (Four-mile): 

14. Paul Raymond 20:36

15. Austin Sturdy 20:37

28. Nathan Wickoren, 21:06

36. Stan Skwarlo, 21:29

37. Dray Carson, 21:38

43. Brandon Lewis,  22:45