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Shafer, Janson highlight WSU’s efforts at Flyer 5k

The Wright State cross country team began its season battling 90-degree heat and wet conditions at the Dayton Flyer 5k Challenge in Kettering Saturday.

Senior Dan Shafer placed 20th in the men’s race, finishing with a time of 16:18-Shafer’s best career place finish.

Despite the high finish, Shafer he said it was his “slowest time” he has ran at the meet in four years, citing weather as a factor.

“I was excited to get out there and compete today,” Shafer said. “It is always tough to grind through a race when it’s hot, humid, and you aren’t running up to your expectations, but everyone competed and represented WSU well.”

Though the season for WSU has just begun, Shafer said progression is the main focus for the team.

“Everyone now has experienced a college meet, which is good for the freshmen,” Shafer said. “The nerves and such of the first meet of the season are behind us and we can focus on being more aggressive and competing better next week.”

The women’s team was led by senior Rachel Janson and sophomore Vanessa Hopwood. Janson finished 37th overall finish with a time of 20:36. Hopwood, who earned praise from assistant coach Rick Williamson after the event, placed 53rd.

“The stand out runner had to be Vanessa Hopwood,” Williamson said. “She had a great summer of training and looked strong throughout the entire race.”

Friday will hold the second meet for WSU at the Queen City Invitational in Mason at 5 p.m.

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