EAST LANSING, Mich. – The 9th-ranked Calvin men's cross country team had a strong showing at the Spartan Invitational hosted by Michigan State University Friday morning at the Forest Akers East Golf Course.
Competing in a field of Division I schools with a handful of smaller institutions, Calvin posted a seventh place team score of 200 points.
The Knights featured a strong one-two punch up front with sophomore Eric Swinson (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeast HS) leading the way with a 15th place time of 25:33.0 on the 8K course.
Junior Brandan Knepper (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg HS) was Calvin's second man, placing 26th in 25:58.
Freshman Thaine Nederveld (Columbus, Oh./Columbus Alternative) was a catalyst in the Calvin machine, filling a gap and finishing 67th (26:52).
Junior William Hofmann (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./Grosse Pointe North HS) had a huge race, placing 70th in 26:58.
Freshman Nicholas Henz (Oswego, Il./Oswego East HS) was also superb, placing 77th in 27:01. Freshman Luke Witvliet (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian HS) was also apart of Calvin's youth surge, placing 81st in 27:04.
Junior Clenon Fincher (Elmhurst, Il./Timothy Christian HS) was 105th in 27:28.
Freshman Ryan Sarkett (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair HS) also made his mark, placing 132nd in 28:01.
Sophomore Caleb Gaffner (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) was 154th in 28:21.
Sophomore Benjamin Kinnucan (Lowell, Mich./Lowell HS) was 161st in 28:32.
Grand Valley was first with 35 points with host Michigan State second with 51 points.
COACHES COMMENTS: "What a great performance by our guys today," said Calvin head cross country coach Brian Diemer. "We only had one runner with experience running this course from two years ago in Brandan Knepper. Brandan did a great job helping leading the way but our young guys stepped up in a wonderful way. Eric Swinson ran with Brandan for a good chunk of the race and then found another gear. Thaine Nederveld was incredible. He has so much heart and moxie. He was part of a freshmen group that was tremendous today. I thought William Hofmann also ran a very strong race. He is stepping into a new role for this team. I am just very pleased all the way around."
