Smith embarks on yet another record-breaking season

The CSB cross country team got off to yet another hot start to the season at the Boulder Ridge Golf Club in St. Cloud on Saturday Sept. 3, where they ran against ConcordiaMoorhead and St. Cloud State.

Junior Fiona Smith broke the cross country 5,000-meter school record in a time of 17:21.3. Junior Annie Kiolbasa finished third in 19:22.2, and junior Bridget Tetmeyer was fourth in 19:24.2. All seven runners that scored for CSB finished the race in 21 minutes or faster, with nine Bennies in the top 20 runners overall.

“I have been very happy with the past two meets, both on an individual and team level,” Smith said. “Individually, I’ve recorded personal records at both meets and have raced with the competition the best I could. On the team level, I am proud of how we have come together to put together great team performances.”

After finishing fifth place at the MIAC Conference Championships last season, the Bennies are optimistic and hoping to lower their team score even further within the next couple of months.

“Our team is looking awesome thus far, and we are already improving as a team this early in the season,” junior Lucy Lyngen said.

Over the weekend, they competed again in the Hamline Invite on Friday, where they placed second among 10 teams. Smith recorded yet another first-place finish in 20:11.26. This time would have undoubtedly smashed her previous school record of 20:57.24; however, the course was only measured at 5,900-meters instead of the typical 6,000-meter collegiate race, so it will not be listed as an official school record.

“Everyone is coming back stronger, and we have the potential to be one of the best teams we have had since I have been at CSB,” head coach Robin Balder-Lanoue said.

Balder-Lanoue also praised the team for their strong work ethic, stating that they do the little things outside of practice that make the biggest impact.

Although the Bennies have 13 returning student-athletes, there are also 12 first-years on the team, two of whom placed in the top seven for CSB in their opening meet.

“A group of three first years—Tatum Liebke, Mary Kenney, and Eva Creighton—have had strong performances being our 6-8 runners,” Smith said.

Sophomore Kalli Smith was among several Bennies who saw personal bests this past weekend. She recorded a 30 second drop from her race in the NCAA regionals in 2021, finishing 19th with a time of 23:36.04. Kalli Smith also said she is looking forward to pushing herself and her teammates this season.

“Keep an eye on Kalli Smith. She is absolutely killing it. She is improving each day and always has an awesome attitude on top of that even,” Lyngen said.

Next Friday, Sept. 23, the Bennies will toe the line against D2 and D3 competition in the Roy Griak Invitational at the University of Minnesota.