Kehler leads way for Comets XC squad

After three weeks of being idle, as well as intense training, the Cottey Comets cross country team returned to competition on Saturday in Clarksville, Ark., for the Ozarks Invitational.

Placing fifth overall as a team, the Comets were led by junior Tori Kehler, of Vancouver, Wash., who blazed to a second-place finish, clocking a time of 20:06 — while Division II Arkansas Tech claimed the top team spot.

“Tori was the top collegiate athlete in the whole race,” noted Comets head coach, Tony Skiles. “Tori has been working hard to finish her last year at Cottey on top after being injured (in 2016).”

Additionally for Cottey, junior Christi-Anne Beatty, of Lakeside Park, Ky., finished second on the team, and 22nd overall, with a time of 22:57.

Following Beatty, was Cottey sophomore Hannah Cameron, of Twin Falls, Idaho, who placed 35th with a time of 24:14; freshman Maria Huertas, of Granada, Spain, placed 51st (26:17); and sophomore Kehlani Keene, of Acoma Pueblo, N.M., placed 61st (29:03).

“Each week we want to improve from the last race. So when it comes time for championship running, we will be able to run our fastest,” explained Kehler.

“We have been working very hard every morning at 6 a.m., so we can reach our team goals,” added Skiles.

Up next

The Ollie Isom XC Invitational, at Butler (Kan.) Community College (Wartick farm), Monday, Oct. 16.