Allen Community College head coach Vince DeGrado surprised his team for the first meet of the season.
On Friday, not only did the Red Devils compete against other teams that had traveled to Iola to compete in the Red Devil Classic, they also competed against themselves.
“Splitting the teams up was to make it fun for them,” DeGrado said. “It was a small enough meet and they found themselves racing a red or a black jersey along with the other runners even though they were teammates.”
And that competition came in handy as ACCC breezed through the meet, taking first on the both the men’s and women’s side, flying past the competition from St. Mary’s University, Garden City Community College and Highland Community College.
Even with the dominant performance, DeGrado said that his athletes struggled with some early season fatigue that held them back.
“I knew they weren’t going to have their legs underneath them and I told them that they wouldn’t,” DeGrado said. “Even if I say they still get disappointed if they didn’t run well because they were tired.”
The course which starts on the front lawn of the college and wrapped up on the Red Devil soccer field played well as the conditions over the past several days paved the way for a smooth race.
“This is the fastest this course had ran ever and I haven’t changed it,” DeGrado said. “I think it’s because it hasn’t really rained. It’s not hilly by any means but it’s not flat either but we were able to get rolling.”
The men took places two through four with sophomore Paul Becker leading the way with a time of 15:34.52 followed by sophomore Ludreche Glasgow who ran the course with a time of 15:45.32 and sophomore Anthony Glasgow who finished with a time of 15:46.47.
“I was really pleased with the men’s team,” DeGrado said. “They finished fourth last year and we return all but our top two runners and I know they have a huge upside. I was very pleased with the effort. When the guys got tired they sensed it and they pushed through.”
On the women’s side, freshman Amber Gloria finished third with a time of 15:27.41 followed by sophomore Abby Steinhauser who finished with a time of 15:33.93 and freshman Betty Ramos finished with a time of 15:57.03
“Our women did great,” DeGrado said. “I didn’t know what to expect because we lost a lot to graduation and we have a lot of freshmen. Plus, we have some knick-knack injuries that I don’t like to get but it is what it is.”
The Red Devils only return two sophomores after last year’s third place finish at the NJCAA Cross Country National Championship but Gloria has already impressed DeGrado in her short time on campus.
“She’s really figured the running thing out and she’s just going to get better and better,” DeGrado said.
Up next, Allen County will head to Memphis, Tenn. on Saturday to compete in the Brooks Memphis Twilight Race.
Allen Co. XC grabs two first place finishes at home meet
