Spartan Invitational

I drove north to East Lansing Friday to watch the Spartan Invitational at Forest Akers East Golf Course. This was my third college cross country event I ever attended. So many teams and so many great runners participated in this event.

My highlights of the day was watching Nick Willis, the 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist (men's 1500 meter run) from New Zealad, run in the race. He was in the lead pack the entire race. Willis just fell short of winning by a second. He was defeated by Michigan State's Aaron Simoneau. The other highlight of the day was watching Amanda Putt of Hillsdale College. I photographed Putt running cross country and track for four years at a local high school. She was her school's number one runner. Amanda is now a sophomore at Hillsdale and she sat out last cross country and track season due to injury. Now she is healthy and back running. Putt finished second for Hillsdale and 76th overall.

A pack of University of Michigan Wolverines at the start of the women's 6K race.

The chase pack behind leader Lanni Marchant of Playmakers (not in photo). Marchant was eventually overtaken and finished third overall. Emily MacLeod (352) of Michigan State won the race in 20:46.

Bekah Smeltzer of Michigan State finished 9th overall with a time of 21:19. I covered many cross country invitationals and regionals that Bekah ran in high school. It was nice to see her run again.

Amanda Putt (188) of Hillsdale College. I covered Putt during her high school career running cross country and track. She finished 76th overall and second for Hillsdale.

Emily MacLeod of Michigan State won the women's 6K race in 20:46.

Nick Willis (570) battles Michigan State's Aaron Simoneau in the men's 8K race. Simoneau beat 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist (1500m) Willis to win the race in 24:28.