Black Bear Half Marathon Joyful Experience for Pioneers

The men’s and women’s half marathon squad had the opportunity to run this weekend at the Black Bear Half Marathon in Hendersonville, North Carolina and took full advantage of it! The Pioneers had 10 total athletes compete and put on a show. The first pioneer to finish was Luke Kochanowicz in 6^th place overall with a time of 1:25:40, this took home first in his age group, and is an average pace of 6:32 per mile! Next up was Seth Mullen in 14^th with a time of 1:29:32. Nolan Vrooman finished just outside of the top 25 with a time of 1:35:48. Finishing back to back were Jose Pacheco and Averi Vance in 49^th and 50^th place. Averi was the first female pioneer finisher in a time of 1:43:14 and she took first place in her age group as well! Next across the line came the duo of Mariela and Alondra Velazquez. They kicked at the end for 100 and 101^st place with an average pace per mile of 8:30. Rounding out our women’s team was Bella Sheilds in 1:52:21 for second in her age group and 107^th overall. Steven Strange came across the line in 1:53:58 taking home 116^th place and 6^th in his age group.

Men's Team:

Luke Kochanowicz- 1:25:40 – 6^th overall
Seth Mullen – 1:29:32 – 14^th overall
Nolan Vrooman – 1:35:48 – 26^th overall
Jose Pacheco – 1:43:13 – 49^th overall
Trey Tynes- 1:46:25 – 67^th overall
Steven Strange – 1:53:58 – 116^th overall

Women's Team:

Averi Vance – 1:43:14 – 50^th overall
Mariela Velazquez – 1:51:22 – 100^th overall
Alondra Velazquez – 1:51:23 – 101^st overall
Bella Sheilds – 1:52:21 – 107^th overall