Kowalski, Hutchings win Chemical Bank Run 10K titles

Published 3:21 am Monday, July 21, 2014

ST. JOSEPH — Justin Kowalski of South Bend and Andrea Hutchings of St. Joseph captured the men’s and women’s 10K run titles at the Chemical Bank Run for YMCA Saturday.

Kowalski, a multiple Steve’s Run champion, posted a time of 34:11 to easily defeat runner-up Cameron Bredice of Bridgman, who ran a 34:33.

Tomas Kazokas of Stevensville (36:47), Michael Foote of Watervliet (36:49) and Elliott Stowe of Stevensville (37:42) rounded out the top five men’s race finishers.

Niles’ Michael Robbins, who runs track and cross country at Brandywine, finished sixth with a time of 38:18.

Hutchings ran a time of 39:07. Jessie Armstrong, also of St. Joseph posted at time of 41:21 in finishing second in the women’s 10K division.

St. Joseph’s Rachel Bendewald (45:48), Niles’ Andrea Groote (44:20) and Sarah Corbe of St. Joseph (45:48) rounded out the top five finishers.

Kentwood’s Jacob Towne won the men’s 5K race with a time of 15:16. Granger’s Kayla Matrunick was the first women finisher with a time of 17:24.

R.J. Ferguson won the men’s 5K walk with a time of 36:19 and Nancy Nelson of Benton Harbor was the women’s 5K walk winner with a time of 35:12.

Elizabeth Curran of Vandalia, Mary Diethrich of Buchanan and Pamela Behm of Niles all grabbed a top 10 finishes with a time of 38:37, 39:09 and 39:30 respectively.