Special to The Sun
EDMOND —
Injuries prevented Central Oklahoma from fielding a full squad and being a factor in the team race, but the Bronchos ended up with three individuals in the top 20 in the season-opening UCO Land Run Saturday morning.
UCO fielded just four runners — with five needed for team scoring purposes — and had another race unattached in the five-kilometer event held at Santa Fe High School in perfect conditions that was won by Oklahoma Baptist.
Bailey Hawkins led the Bronchos, touring the course in 19:25.63 to come in 10th in the 67-runner race. Katie Kerns finished 16th in 19:45.53 and Jacquelynn Skocik was 20th in 19:54.07.
Emily Leahey placed 28th in 20:37.80 while competing unattached and Ashlyn Wilhite was 48th in 22:12.49 to round out the UCO contingent.
“We ran some pretty good times for our first race of the year and it’s unfortunate we didn’t have enough healthy runners to count in the team standings,” head coach J.D. Martin said. “It was a good start for us, so hopefully we can build on this and get some of our other girls back soon.”
The Bronchos travel to Joplin, Mo., next Saturday for the Southern Stampede.
