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November 18, 2011 What they lacked in numbers, they made up for in grit and hard work. The results for the Cyclones were a second-place conference finish, three All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference selections and two national championship qualifiers. "When you look at what these five girls had to contend with throughout the season and the lack of team depth, what you see was an outstanding season," said coach Mark Horstmeyer, who has led the program since it was revived in 2000. "That's why I call them the 'Fab Five.' I couldn't be prouder of a team than I am of them." All five runners completed their second year as Cyclone harriers with a lot of accomplishment. Last year they were the core of the team who won the conference title and took second place in the NJCAA Region IV Division I championship and a berth in the national championship. "At the start of the season we had a full complement of runners but as the season wore on, injuries and work commitments took their toll on our numbers," Horstmeyer said. "By early October we were down to only the five returning sophomores, and every week they battled. You can't fault the effort." Alex Dovgin (Andrew) led the way the entire season garnering her second All-Conference and All-Region first team honors and a second appearance in the national championship. "Alex was determined not to let a chronic foot problem derail her this year, and I know there were times in practice and in races when she ran in pain. But that's the kind of athlete she is. She will do well at the next level," Horstmeyer said. Cande Pizano (Reavis), who also earned two All-Conference spots and a second appearance at the NJCAA championship, had to deal with a bothersome knee. "I cannot say enough about how tough Cande is. She was under the weather at regionals and had to not only battle sickness but also grabbing a spot that would assure her a ticket to the dance. Her race shows how determined she is. She will really help out at the next level," her coach said. Rounding out the 'Fab Five' are Jacquelyn O'Connor (Sandburg), who also was named to the All-Conference team, Nagieh Omer (Reavis) and Kaitlyn Piazza (Mt. Assisi). All of whom were named to Moraine Valley's Academic All-America team in 2010. Omer also was an individual Academic All-American. "Jackie was solid for us all year, and when she was able to secure a top-10 finish to be All-Conference, I was really happy for her. It was well earned and well deserved. She loves to run, and I hope she continues her running at the next level," Horstmeyer said. "Nagieh had to contend with persistent sore legs and knees all year, and as a result she struggled but never gave up. She's that kind of an athlete. Kaitlyn also had to deal with chronic pain from a car accident early in the season. She never complained nor let it get in the way for going out there every day and every race and giving her all. That takes a special kind of athlete to do that. "This was a very special team this year. I couldn't be any prouder of a group than I am of them. They were a joy to be around and a pleasure to work with the past two years. They contributed a lot to women's cross country at Moraine Valley, and they will be missed a lot," their coach said.
November 14, 2011 Two Cyclone runners turned in solid performances Nov. 12 at the NJCAA Division I Cross Country Championship in Hobbs, New Mexico, under challenging conditions. Alex Dovgin (Andrew) culminated her career at Moraine Valley with a 21:30 clocking and an 83rd place finish over the 5K course at Ocotillo Golf Club. Cande Pizano (Reavis) ended her Cyclone career with a 22:58 and 171st-place finish. There were 268 runners in the championship race that was contested in windy and dusty conditions. For Dovgin and Pizano, both sophomores, this was their second appearance at the NJCAA championship and both improved their finishing spots considerably from last year under better conditions. "I'm really proud of their accomplishment," said coach Mark Horstmeyer. "This was not an easy race- the course, itself, provided several obstacles despite it being flat, and they were running in much higher altitude, about 3,500 feet. Couple that with winds gusting up to 35 to 40 miles per hour, and it was tough racing." Dovgin's performance at the national championship capped an outstanding two-year career. She earned All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and All-Region IV first team honors both years while Pizano earned All-Conference honors both of her years as a Cyclone. Last year the pair were members of the conference championship and region runner-up squad that finished 26th at nationals. "I couldn't be more pleased with the honors they earned and the contributions they made to our program over the past two years. They work hard and are dedicated to their sport. I know they will do well at the next level. They gained a lot of experience over the past two years running in large races like Illinois Intercollegiates and at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, so running in a national championship was not intimidating. They know how to compete," Horstmeyer said. "Wherever they choose to run next year, they will help their teams a lot. We will miss them."
October 31, 2011
October 24, 2011 Morton College won the championship with 29 points. Moraine Valley scored 43 points followed by Oakton Community College in third with 61 and Prairie State College in fourth place with 87. "I'm extremely pleased with our effort from our 'Fab Five,'" said coach Mark Horstmeyer. "Two of our girls had no business running- with illness and injuries- but they wanted to give it a go. They were determined to give it all they had and support the other three. I'm very proud of their accomplishment." Alex Dovgin (Andrew) was the first Moraine Valley runner across the finish line in fifth place in 21:03 followed by Cande Pizano (Reavis) in eighth in 21:33, Jacquelyn O'Connor (Sandburg) in 10th place in 22:32, Kaitlyn Piazza (Mt. Assisi) in 23rd in 24:59, and Nagieh Omer (Reavis) in 24th in 25:00. There were 34 finishers over the 5K Cyclone Cross Country Course at Moraine Valley. Dovgin, Pizano and O'Connor earned All-Conference honors- the second straight year for Dovgin and Pizano. "I am really pleased for Alex, Cande and Jackie. They tried to get it done today, and I'm very happy to see their effort rewarded, their coach said. "It's not often that you put three runners in the top 10 and not take home the title, but in this instance with what the five kids have had to endure and being short-handed, they did their best. I know they will be ready to go this Saturday at Regionals. I believe they will step up even more." The Cyclones host the NJCAA Region IV Championship on Saturday, Oct. 29 starting at 11 a.m.
October 17, 2011 The Cyclones found themselves not only having to fight the strong, gusty winds but also a stronger field on Oct. 15 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Brooks Invitational, finishing in 43rd place. Alex Dovgin (Andrew) was the first Moraine Valley runner across the finish line in 291st place in 25:56 followed by Cande Pizano (Reavis) in 328th place in 26:31, Jacquelyn O'Connor (Sandburg) in 362nd place in 27:47, Kaitlyn Piazza (Mt. Assisi) in 384th place in 29:39, and Nagieh Omer (Reavis) in 395th place in 31:13. There were 395 finishers who traversed the 6K course at the Lake Breeze Golf Course in Winneconne. "Two of the girls actually ran faster than last year at Oshkosh despite winds that were gusting up to 45 miles per hour," said coach Mark Horstmeyer. "I'm pleased with the way they battled. This was a very tough and very fast field, the race was the pre-national for the NCAA Division III championship, so it was a tremendous experience for our kids to get out there and battle some of the top runners in the country. We were the only community college in the race, and we held our own." The team now prepares for the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship, which will be run Saturday, Oct. 22, on the Cyclone Cross Country Course on Moraine Valley's campus. "The championship season is upon us. This is what we have trained for and raced for all season. We're looking forward to seeing what we can do. I believe we will be in the thick of things," Horstmeyer said. "I know the girls will be ready."
October 10, 2011
October 5, 2011 Sophomore Cande Pizano (Reavis) was named the Woman Cross Country Athlete of the Week in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference for the week of Oct. 2. This marks the second straight week that the cross country team has received the recognition. Pizano ran to a 21st place finish among 98 finishers at the Warrior Invitational hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College on Oct. 1. She helped her team finish sixth of 15 teams, the Cyclone's best performance to date and top finish for any community college. Pizano also recorded her fastest 6K time in 26:28 over a difficult hilly course, made more challenging by running most of the race wearing one shoe.
October 3, 2011 The Cyclones took on another hilly challenge over a longer course on Oct. 1 and turned in their best team performance to date, taking sixth place out of 15 teams at the Warrior Invite hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College in Greenfield Park, West Allis. Alex Dovgin (Andrew) led the way over the 6K course in 13th place in 25:40 followed by Cande Pizano (Reavis) in 21st place in 26:28, Jacquelyn O'Connor (Sandburg) in 40th place in 27:57, Kaitlyn Piazza (Mt. Assisi) in 56th place in 28:53, and Nagieh Omer (Reavis) in 71st place in 31:01. There were 98 finishers. "This was another tough course and their first 6K of the season, and they gave it a decent effort," said coach Mark Horstmeyer. "The team finish speaks well because again we were short-handed and we were the top community college in the field. Individually, the girls know they have a ways to go, but this race helped them increase their experience for what lies ahead this Saturday on the toughest course they will race all season. We're looking forward to seeing how they respond to the challenge. I believe they will do very well."
September 25, 2011 The Cyclones took on their first race over hilly terrain Sept. 24 at the 13th Annual Forester Invitational hosted by Lake Forest College at Adler Memorial Park in Libertyville, finishing 11th of 14 teams- the top community college in the field. Alex Dovgin (Andrew) led the way over the 5K course in 38th place out of 133 finishers in 21:21 followed by Cande Pizano (Reavis) in 44th place in 21:48, Jacquelyn O'Connor (Sandburg) at 66th place in 22:59, Kaitlyn Piazza (Mt. Assisi) in 85th place in 23:55, and Nagieh Omer (Reavis) in 103rd place with 25:43. "This was the toughest course they have faced so far, and they have two more hilly races in the next two weeks," said coach Mark Horstmeyer. "Saturday gave them a good idea of what they now have to do to keep improving and getting fitter. They should be pleased with the direction they're going but not satisfied. There's still a lot of work to do. The girls run in their first 6K of the season over another hilly course, and I think they will be ready for it. Should be fun."
September 19, 2011 The Cyclones took advantage of ideal racing conditions and a fast field to improve their performance from a week ago at the Illinois Intercollegiate Championships hosted by Illinois State University on Sept. 16. They finished in 24th place out of 28 teams. Alex Dovgin (Andrew) led the way over the 5K course on Weibring Golf Course in 150th place in 20:46 followed by Cande Pizano (Reavis) in 196th place in 21:56, Jacquelyn O'Connor (Sandburg) in 209th place in 22:25, Kaitlyn Piazza (Mt. Assisi) in 234th place in 23:24, Daniela Boline (Sandburg) in 237th place in 23:28, and Nagieh Omer (Reavis) in 266th place in 25:29. There were 291 finishers in the championship that included colleges and universities from all NCAA divisions, NAIA schools and community colleges. "We're getting closer to where we need to be in terms of fitness and confidence," said coach Mark Horstmeyer. "This was the first time that we had enough healthy runners to compete as a team, and that was a big plus. For some of the runners who competed here last year, their times were greatly improved, and for a couple of our kids who competed last week, their times dropped as well. We wanted to be more competitive among the other junior college teams, but we got a very good idea of what the challenge will be next month." Horstmeyer said the next three meets will get his team well prepared. "We face hilly courses, and that will make us stronger and test our resolve. I like the direction we're headed."
September 12, 2011 For the three runners who toed the starting line on Sept. 9 at Olivet Nazarene University's Midwest Classic Invitational, they showed flashes of very good things to come. Alex Dovgin (Andrew) led the trio over the breezy 5K course on the Aspen Ridge Golf Course in Bourbonnais in 49th place in 21:21 followed by Jacquelyn O'Connor (Sandburg) in 96th place in 23:56 and Daniela Boline (Sandburg) in 103rd place in 25:10. "We're not close to where we need to be in terms of fitness and confidence," said coach Mark Horstmeyer. "But this was an excellent opportunity for the girls to assess where they are and what they have to get accomplished in the coming weeks. We're just not really healthy right now, but we hope to get more of the team running on Friday. There were flashes of really good efforts. What we have to do now is get them to start believing in themselves and taking the good things from this race and applying it at Illinois Intercollegiates, which is always a lot of fun and an outstanding proving ground."
September 6, 2011 The running Cyclones had to overcome high temperatures, humidity and tough competition at Elmhurst College's Earlybird Invite on Friday, Sept. 2, and came up a runner short at the end. Alex Dovgin (Andrew) led four Cyclones over the steamy and breezy 4K course in 64th place in 18:27 followed by Cande Pizano (Reavis) in 72nd in 18:48, Kaitlyn Piazza (Mt. Assisi) in 101st in 21:02, and Daniela Boline (Sandburg) finishing 102nd in 21:07. "I was pleased with our effort in our first outing," said coach Mark Horstmeyer. "Because of the 90-degree heat and high humidity our plan was to just go out and get used to competing and not worry about times. We already are having to deal with injuries, and we're not deep to compensate for it. We started five runners, but we pulled one of the kids at the one-mile mark because of severe calf pain. We hope to be in better shape Friday when we go to Olivet Nazarene University and have our first race at the 5K distance. The girls are working hard, and that's all we want right now."
September 1, 2011 The Cyclones officially start their season Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. at Elmhurst College's Earlybird Cross Country Invitational. Click on the below link for results. www.elmhurstbluejays.com/sports/2009/7/27/WXC_0727090431.aspx?path=cross
August 24, 2011 |
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