Cross Country: Bakken blows away the field

Cordoba records top-10 as Rochelle hosts annual Mud Cup

Russell Hodges
Posted 9/13/18

There wasn’t a single runner who came close to taking down Lady Hub senior Katherine Bakken as she cruised through the 3-mile course at Skare Park for the Rochelle Invitational (also known as the Mud Cup) on Thursday.

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Cross Country: Bakken blows away the field

Cordoba records top-10 as Rochelle hosts annual Mud Cup

Posted

ROCHELLE — There wasn’t a single runner who came close to taking down Lady Hub senior Katherine Bakken as she cruised through the 3-mile course at Skare Park for the Rochelle Invitational (also known as the Mud Cup) on Thursday.

Bakken reached the finish line first in last year’s race, and the senior cross country standout successfully defended her title on Thursday, taking first out of 53 runners with a time of 21.39.80 while finishing over 45 seconds faster than DeKalb’s Sarahi Porcayo (22:25.50) who placed second. The unique course, which features hay bales for runners to jump over and muddy waters to trudge through, has been one of Bakken’s favorite courses to race throughout her career.

“It felt really good to win, especially knowing that this was my last time running here,” Bakken said. “I was able to do my best. I really like that the course is at home which means that a lot of people I know are able to come watch and support me.”

Junior Britney Baez placed 12th with a time of 25:17.20 while freshman Sara Johnson finished 13th in 25:48.90 and senior Anne Hickey finished 15th in 25:55.70. Sophomore Heidi Cruz took 24th with a time of 27:26.60 and senior Camryn Turner finished 30th in 29:06.00. The Lady Hubs took second place out of four teams with 53 points.

“I think we’ve really shown a lot of growth and I’m really excited to see what we can do with a few more meets under our belt,” said Bakken, who qualified for state in track and field last season and nearly made state in cross country as well. “I want to place All-Conference this year and I definitely think that state is within reach for me. That’s something I’ve been training for.”

Junior Santi Cordoba recorded Rochelle’s top finish in the boys race on Thursday, placing seventh out of 70 racers with a time of 19:57.10. Junior Tucker Louis finished 19th with a time of 21:34.81 while senior Xavier Arriaga took 39th in 23:04.50. The Hubs finished fourth out of five teams with 97 points.

“I enjoy running through the creek and seeing everybody get really muddy,” Cordoba said. “Tucker has improved a lot, and he and I are about the same speed now. We have some really good freshmen… My personal record last year was 18 minutes and my goal right now is to get down to 17 minutes. I’m trying to break 17 minutes now.”

Both Rochelle teams will compete at Kaneland’s Eddington Invitational this weekend before traveling for the Byron Invitational on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 4:15 p.m.