The Bowdoin Men's Cross Country Team opened up its season at Colby on Saturday, squaring off against the now colorless Mules of Colby and the Wesleyan Cardinals. When the points were tallied, the men finished in second place, just behind Wesleyan and far ahead of Colby.
Junior Andrew Combs and sophomore Owen McKenna placed third and fourth, respectively, followed shortly by a large pack. First-year Pat Pierce placed seventh, junior Benjamin Martens placed ninth, and first-year Nathan Krah placed tenth. Right on Krah's heels was another first year, Tim Katlic, in eleventh. The team's strategy of a conservative start and a consistent pace afterwards worked well. It moved up in the pack throughout the race and finished very strong.
The team was encouraged by the results of the meet. Combs and McKenna demonstrated their front-running skills, as the first year had an enjoyable first race experience. Meanwhile, the undeniable stud that is Ben Martens looked like a new man after struggling with injuries last season. Unlike other sports, a team's record in dual meets is unimportant. The championship races are what everyone focuses on, so the men are far from heartbroken about the narrow loss to Wesleyan, who field a strong squad this year. The race provided valuable experience to get the men ready for the championship races in November. Additionally, the rolling, sinking, weaving adventure of the course will also be the location of the NESCAC Championships, so it was an opportunity for the men to learn the intricacies the challenging course.
Bowdoin demonstrated that they are on the right track to success. They have a strong pack that runs with poise and intelligence, which will be an advantage at the end of the season when the men are at the peak of their training. The newcomers on the team showed that they are ready to contribute on the varsity level, giving the team the much-needed depth that they lacked last season.
The men are currently training at a high level, staying healthy, and building strength for the challenges that lie ahead. New England is exceptionally strong this season, with four teams ranked in the top 15 of the country, so the going will not be easy. However, the men are undaunted by the competition and are improving with every practice and every race. Come November, the men will be ready to roll.
The men will next race on Saturday, October 2 at the University of Maine at Farmington Invitational.