Walny Places Third Overall For BG At Spartan Invitational

Friday, September 18

East Lansing, Mich.

11 AM

Bowling Green State University

Spartan Invitational

September 18, 2015 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

By: Amanda Cutcher, BGSU Athletic Communications

Full Spartan Invitational Results

East Lansing, Mich. – The Bowling Green State University cross country teams traveled to Michigan State University to compete in the Spartan Invitational Friday afternoon. The invitational was comprised of 39 teams, some of which were ranked nationally a year ago, including BG. The women's team ran a 6,000-meter race whereas the men ran an 8,000-meter contest. Redshirt freshman Rachel Walny placed third overall for the Falcons with a time of 21:26. Redshirt sophomore Nathan Kuck place first for the Falcons and 48^th overall, running a time of 26:18. No team scores were recorded for this event.

Racing only in her second race and first 6K of her collegiate career for the Falcons, Walny put on another strong performance for the Orange and Brown, placing third out of 318 runners. She finished behind Michigan State's Rachele Schulist, who was fourth in the nation last year, and Michigan State's Alexis Wiersma, who was just shy of All-American status a year ago.

The women's side, which competed at the season-opening Mel Brodt Invitational without its top two runners from a year ago, competed with a full team Friday, giving them a better idea of what they can do as a whole. Senior Becca Rae followed Walny, placing 15th overall with a time of 22:04, and redshirt junior Mackenzie McMillin posted a time of 22:26 to end 23rd. Running in her first race of the season, Andrea Alt put together a time of 22:37 for a 26^th place finish.

"Saw progress for sure," Head Coach Lou Snelling said. "Great thing is this is an experienced group, they know what they need to do."

For the men, who ran their first 8K of the season, Kuck again was BGSU's top finisher and ended 48^th overall with a time of 26:18, setting a new personal best which is 17 seconds faster than his previous time. Behind Kuck were freshman Noah Schaub, posting a time of 27:06 to end 48^th, and sophomore Nick Voth with a time of 27:28.

BGSU cross country will next compete Oct. 2 as the women will head to Bethlehem, Pa. to compete in the Paul Short Run and the men will travel to the All-Ohio Championships in Cedarville, Ohio.