Cross Country Finds Success At Bradley Pink Classic

Friday, October 12

Peoria, Ill.

9:00 AM

Bowling Green State University

Bradley Pink Classic

October 12, 2018 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

By: by Kyle Edmond, BGSU Athletics

PEORIA, Ill. - It was another impressive day for the BGSU cross country programs competing at the Bradley Pink Classic. With heightened competition, the Falcons rose to the occasion and held their own in their last event before the MAC Championships.

Women's 6k Event
The BGSU women's team competed in a field of 298 participants representing 40 universities. Overall, the team concluded with a 22nd place finish, but were without a few runners who normally participate.

Rachel Walny once again led the way for the Falcons, this time crossing the finish line in third amongst the 298 runners, with a time of 20:44.4. Walny had to race hard for her spot, edging out the fourth place finisher, Anne Frisbie of Iowa State who barely missed All-American status a year ago, by just :00.3. Walny also finished behind a familiar face, Athena Welsh of Toledo. Walny and Welsh were neck-and-neck earlier in the season at the Mel Brodt Collegiate Opener, with Welsh finishing only :00.4 in front of Walny. These two are sure to meet again at the MAC Championship.
The next BGSU runner to finish was freshman Katerina Shuble in 88th. Shuble was able to improve her time in the 6k from the previous contest, concluding the event with a time of 22:05.2, nearly 22 seconds better than her previous time. Shuble was able to cross :00.7 seconds before the two runners behind her.
In 119th place, Sarah Hunsley was the next Falcon to finish recording a time of 22:22.3. Hunsley challenged for another spot, missing the mark by only :00.3 seconds. Hunsley led the Falcons in the last 6k, held in Akron on Sept. 29.
Allison Holahan nearly finished a spot higher with only :00.2 seconds separating her and the runner in front, while also recording a new personal best with a time of 22:56.6.
BGSU had a few more runners who were close to finishing in a different spot. Claire Reynolds was in the middle of a trio, finishing :00.1 seconds between the runner in front and behind her.
Megan Aalberts also had :00.1 seconds be the difference between her and the runner that finished next, while also capturing a new personal best with a time of 24:01.0.
Allie Zofkie and Kelsie Mothersead also participated for the Falcons, with Zofkie recording a new personal best (23:22.9).

Rachel Walny has been able to keep her momentum rolling this season, but the team will now begin to prepare for the next task at hand, the MAC Championships. "Rachel continues to have a fantastic senior campaign," said Head Coach Lou Snelling. "Our big focus now is finishing our preparation for the MAC Championships."

FULL WOMEN'S RESULTS

Men's 8k Event
The men's event saw a slightly smaller field, with 273 participants for 33 teams. Of those 33 teams, Bowling Green was able to claim a sixth place finish, placing just behind Indiana.

The Falcons were able to work on closing the gap between the two lead runners, with Noah Schaub and Tyler Phillips only be separated by four spots. Schaub was the first to finish, completing with a time of 24:50.7. Phillips shattered his previous personal best of 25:23.8 by more than 23 seconds. Having gaps close is a good sign for the Falcons moving forward, as the team is showing improvement across the board.
Freshman Cesar Arellano continued to make strides, once again finishing well for BGSU, coming in 53rd with a time of 25:33.5. Arellano concluded with a photo finish, being credited with the same time as Jon Klaiber, a senior from Marquette. He was also only :00.4 seconds away from placing in 51st.
Jonathan Wenning and Jonathan Voth also made for a close finish, with only one runner separating the Falcons. Wenning placed in 82nd with a time of 25:53.6 and Voth in 84th with a time of 25:54.6. Wenning and Voth were separated by Jake Papish of Toledo, who the Falcons will see again at the MAC Championship.
Raymond Berling and Paul Garbarino added to the list of BGSU runners to finish near each other, with only two runners separating them. Berling finished in 117th with a time of 26:13.2 while Garbarino placed in 120th finishing in 26:13.8. Berling was able to hold off Trevor Wenzel and Daniel Browne, both of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, who were :00.1 and :00.2 seconds, respectively, behind Berling.
Gabe Garbarino and Kyle Hibinger also participated for the Falcons, rounding out the team's sixth place finish.

The overall finish for the Falcons is a big momentum builder heading into the final stretch of the season. Indiana, who finished a spot above Bowling Green, is currently ranked 4th in the Great Lakes Region for the USTFCCCA Regional Rankings. BGSU also finished ahead of IUPUI, who is ranked in 15th in the region and Cincinnati, who is ranked 14th. The Falcons entered the event ranked 13th in the Great Lakes Region.

Assistant Coach Juan Carrillo was pleased with today's outcome, but knows there is room for improvement moving forward. "We still need to work on some things these next two weeks, but I like where we are now leading into MAC Championships," said Carrillo. "I was really happy with Tyler Phillips on closing the gap to only nine seconds from Noah Schaub." Carrillo also spoke highly of Jonathan Wenning, saying that he "stepped up big today" and "his experience will be a major factor when he competes at MAC."

FULL MEN'S RESULTS

Men's Open Event
The Bradley Pink Classic also held open events to allow for more runners to see action. Bowling Green had two runners participate in the open event, competing in a field of 108 runners.

Abel Nijakowski was the first Falcon to finish, coming in 10th place for the event with a time of 26:00.0. Nathan Bostelman wasn't far behind, concluding with a time of 26:06.1, placing in 13th.

FULL OPEN RESULTS

Up Next
The Falcons will now enter the home stretch of the season with the MAC Championships next on the schedule. This year, the MAC Championships will be held in Toledo, Ohio on Oct. 27th. BGSU participated in an event held at the same course to start the season in August, with the men finishing 3rd, while the women didn't record a team score.

Follow The Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons cross country teams throughout the season on social media.
Twitter – @BGAthletics and @BG_XCTrack
Instagram – 'bgfalcons' and 'bg_xctrack'
Facebook – 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube – 'Falcon Athletics'