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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Friday, August 30
5:30 PM
Bowling Green State University
vs
Mel Brodt Collegiate Opener
Cross Country Programs Set To Host Mel Brodt Invitational On Friday
August 28, 2019 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University men's and women's cross country teams are set to begin their respective seasons here at home this Friday when they host the 32nd Mel Brodt Invitational.
The Legacy of Mel Brodt
Bowling Green's annual home cross country invitational is named after the legendary Mel Brodt. Brodt served for 25 years as BGSU's cross country coach and 20 seasons as men's head track coach before retiring in 1984. Brodt coached 53 Division I All-Americans, five collegiate record holders, 92 MAC Champions, and two MAC Championship teams in cross country (1969) and track (1972).
Brodt was named Coach of the Year at the 1972 NCAA Indoor Track Championship, the 1972 NCAA District IV Cross Country meet and at the 1983 MAC Cross Country Championship. His dual meet coaching record was 89-44-2 in track and 146-55 in cross country. He is a member of the Ohio Association of Track and Field Hall of Fame and Ohio Track and Field Hall of Fame. Head coach of the 1976 AAU team that competed against the Russians in Leningrad, Brodt was also head coach of the national junior team at the 1980 Pan American Games in Canada.
Two of those coached by Brodt were Falcon greats Dave Wottle and Syd Sink. Wottle won gold in the 800m at the 1972 Olympic Games. At Bowling Green he finished second at the NCAA meet in the mile in 1970, first in the 1500m in 1972, and first in the mile in 1973. Syd Sink earned nine All-American honors, three in cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track. He was the 1970 and 1971 steeplechase champion, finishing the 1971 race in 8:30.9, and was a three year captain of the cross country team.
Mel Brodt was inducted into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987. Wottle was inducted in 1978, and Sink in 1976.
Mel Brodt Invitational
The Bowling Green Falcons will play host to the 32nd Mel Brodt Invitational on Friday, Aug. 30 with Toledo, Buffalo and IPFW attending. Both men's and women's teams will compete for all schools in attendance. The men's race will begin at 5:30PM and be 5,000m, followed by the women's race at 6:00PM, also at 5,000m. Both events will be held at Forrest Creason Golf Course (the BGXC Course) with parking located in Lot L by the Sebo Athletic Center.
Building on Success
The men's cross country team returns seven runners from last year's squad. They come into this Friday's opener following a second place finish a year ago, which was their highest finish in the MAC since they won the conference in 1995. "I'm looking to see where the fitness is with this first meet", men's coach Juan Carrillo said. Coach Carrillo is looking to use this as preparation for the conference and regional competition to come. The BGSU men's XC team has been voted to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, and 13th in the Great Lakes Regional Coaches' Rankings.
To see the full the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll click HERE.
To see the full Division I Men's Cross Country USTFCCCA Regional Coaches' Rankings click HERE.
An Influx of Youth
The women's cross country team returns eight runners from last year, with eight new additions to the roster. All Falcon newcomers are underclassmen. "This week is about taking care of the basics…and mental preparation as well as physical", head coach Lou Snelling said. Coach Snelling says that learning the basics is key with so many new faces running for the Falcons this season. The BGSU women's XC team has been voted to finish seventh in the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, and 14th in Great Lakes regional coaches rankings.
To see the full the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll click HERE.
To see the full Division I Women's Cross Country USTFCCCA Regional Coaches' Rankings click HERE.
Against The Field
The Orange and Brown welcomes Toledo, Buffalo and IPFW to the Mel Brodt Invitational this weekend with both men's and women's teams competing for all schools in attendance. It will serve as the season opener for all teams in attendance. Bowling Green finished second in the MAC last season in the men's competition. Buffalo enters this season following a fourth place finish while Toledo came in ninth a year ago. The BGSU women's team looks to build on a seventh place finish last season. Toledo finished second in the conference while Buffalo finished 12th. The IPFW men's team finished fourth in the Summit League last year, while their women's team finished fifth.
Promotions
BGSU Athletics Marketing will be giving away BG cups and water bottles to fans in attendance at the race while supplies last.
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'
The Legacy of Mel Brodt
Bowling Green's annual home cross country invitational is named after the legendary Mel Brodt. Brodt served for 25 years as BGSU's cross country coach and 20 seasons as men's head track coach before retiring in 1984. Brodt coached 53 Division I All-Americans, five collegiate record holders, 92 MAC Champions, and two MAC Championship teams in cross country (1969) and track (1972).
Brodt was named Coach of the Year at the 1972 NCAA Indoor Track Championship, the 1972 NCAA District IV Cross Country meet and at the 1983 MAC Cross Country Championship. His dual meet coaching record was 89-44-2 in track and 146-55 in cross country. He is a member of the Ohio Association of Track and Field Hall of Fame and Ohio Track and Field Hall of Fame. Head coach of the 1976 AAU team that competed against the Russians in Leningrad, Brodt was also head coach of the national junior team at the 1980 Pan American Games in Canada.
Two of those coached by Brodt were Falcon greats Dave Wottle and Syd Sink. Wottle won gold in the 800m at the 1972 Olympic Games. At Bowling Green he finished second at the NCAA meet in the mile in 1970, first in the 1500m in 1972, and first in the mile in 1973. Syd Sink earned nine All-American honors, three in cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track. He was the 1970 and 1971 steeplechase champion, finishing the 1971 race in 8:30.9, and was a three year captain of the cross country team.
Mel Brodt was inducted into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987. Wottle was inducted in 1978, and Sink in 1976.
Mel Brodt Invitational
The Bowling Green Falcons will play host to the 32nd Mel Brodt Invitational on Friday, Aug. 30 with Toledo, Buffalo and IPFW attending. Both men's and women's teams will compete for all schools in attendance. The men's race will begin at 5:30PM and be 5,000m, followed by the women's race at 6:00PM, also at 5,000m. Both events will be held at Forrest Creason Golf Course (the BGXC Course) with parking located in Lot L by the Sebo Athletic Center.
Building on Success
The men's cross country team returns seven runners from last year's squad. They come into this Friday's opener following a second place finish a year ago, which was their highest finish in the MAC since they won the conference in 1995. "I'm looking to see where the fitness is with this first meet", men's coach Juan Carrillo said. Coach Carrillo is looking to use this as preparation for the conference and regional competition to come. The BGSU men's XC team has been voted to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, and 13th in the Great Lakes Regional Coaches' Rankings.
To see the full the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll click HERE.
To see the full Division I Men's Cross Country USTFCCCA Regional Coaches' Rankings click HERE.
An Influx of Youth
The women's cross country team returns eight runners from last year, with eight new additions to the roster. All Falcon newcomers are underclassmen. "This week is about taking care of the basics…and mental preparation as well as physical", head coach Lou Snelling said. Coach Snelling says that learning the basics is key with so many new faces running for the Falcons this season. The BGSU women's XC team has been voted to finish seventh in the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll, and 14th in Great Lakes regional coaches rankings.
To see the full the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll click HERE.
To see the full Division I Women's Cross Country USTFCCCA Regional Coaches' Rankings click HERE.
Against The Field
The Orange and Brown welcomes Toledo, Buffalo and IPFW to the Mel Brodt Invitational this weekend with both men's and women's teams competing for all schools in attendance. It will serve as the season opener for all teams in attendance. Bowling Green finished second in the MAC last season in the men's competition. Buffalo enters this season following a fourth place finish while Toledo came in ninth a year ago. The BGSU women's team looks to build on a seventh place finish last season. Toledo finished second in the conference while Buffalo finished 12th. The IPFW men's team finished fourth in the Summit League last year, while their women's team finished fifth.
Promotions
BGSU Athletics Marketing will be giving away BG cups and water bottles to fans in attendance at the race while supplies last.
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'
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