Bowling Green State University Athletics
Friday, September 2
Athens, Ohio
11:45 AM
Bowling Green State University
at
Bobcat Invite
Cross Country To Open 2022 Season At Bobcat Invite
September 01, 2022 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University men's and women's cross country teams open their respective 2022 campaigns at the Bobcat Invite, hosted by Ohio University, on Friday, Sept. 2.
Bobcat Invite
The 2022 Bobcat Invite will be held at the Ohio University Golf Course in Athens, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 2. The women and men will both run a 5k, with the women's race set for 11 a.m. and the men's scheduled for 11:45 a.m.
To view the cross country course map, click HERE.
To keep up with the event's live finishing results, click HERE.
Perry, Shuble Provide Experience for Women
Nine members of the women's team will return for the 2022 campaign. Kailee Perry, who captured the 2020 Mid-American Conference title, and Katerina Shuble, a 2021 All-MAC second team honoree, headline a five-member senior class. The Falcons also welcome five freshmen to the squad in 2022, while two juniors and two sophomores round out the roster.
Familiar Faces for Men
Seniors Cesar Arellano and AJ Haffa lead the way for the men's squad, which is returning eight of 12 runners from 2021. Arellano captured two top three finishes last season, while Haffa earned personal bests in the 5k, 8k, and 10k as a junior. Bowling Green also returns five juniors and a sophomore while adding three freshmen.
Against the Field
The Falcons will join athletes from five other universities at the Bobcat Invite. Five of the six programs hail from the Mid-American Conference, as Bowling Green, Toledo, Kent State, and Akron join the hosts in Athens. Fairmont State will represent the Division II Mountain East Conference to round out the field. The Bobcat Invite marks the season opener for all teams in attendance.
Notable Quotes
"We are excited to get a preview of the MAC course and open up our season against some MAC competition," men's head coach Kelly Leatherman said. "Our men put a lot of work in over the track season and summer to prove to the conference we can make an impact in the postseason. We have a handful of returners and impactful newcomers within our roster. It's going to be a great opportunity to see where we are at and get the body ready for the racing season ahead!"
"We'll have a small group open up their season in a uniform on Friday, definitely looking to get familiar and comfortable with course before the MAC Championships on October 29," women's head coach Lou Snelling said.
Falcon Women Placed 12th in Preseason Rankings
The women's team received a 12th place spot in the Great Lakes Region preseason rankings, which were released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Aug. 30. Bowling Green earned the third highest ranking in the MAC, only trailing Toledo (6th) and Miami (10th). The Falcons finished 14th in the final rankings of 2021 following a fourth place finish at the MAC Championships and their best mark at the Great Lakes Regionals (14th) since 2015.
Up Next
The Falcons will compete in their first home meet of the season when they host the Mel Brodt Collegiate Open on Friday, Sept. 16, at the Bowling Green Cross Country Course. The meet will open with the women's 6k at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's 8k at 6:05 p.m.
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'
Bobcat Invite
The 2022 Bobcat Invite will be held at the Ohio University Golf Course in Athens, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 2. The women and men will both run a 5k, with the women's race set for 11 a.m. and the men's scheduled for 11:45 a.m.
To view the cross country course map, click HERE.
To keep up with the event's live finishing results, click HERE.
Perry, Shuble Provide Experience for Women
Nine members of the women's team will return for the 2022 campaign. Kailee Perry, who captured the 2020 Mid-American Conference title, and Katerina Shuble, a 2021 All-MAC second team honoree, headline a five-member senior class. The Falcons also welcome five freshmen to the squad in 2022, while two juniors and two sophomores round out the roster.
Familiar Faces for Men
Seniors Cesar Arellano and AJ Haffa lead the way for the men's squad, which is returning eight of 12 runners from 2021. Arellano captured two top three finishes last season, while Haffa earned personal bests in the 5k, 8k, and 10k as a junior. Bowling Green also returns five juniors and a sophomore while adding three freshmen.
Against the Field
The Falcons will join athletes from five other universities at the Bobcat Invite. Five of the six programs hail from the Mid-American Conference, as Bowling Green, Toledo, Kent State, and Akron join the hosts in Athens. Fairmont State will represent the Division II Mountain East Conference to round out the field. The Bobcat Invite marks the season opener for all teams in attendance.
Notable Quotes
"We are excited to get a preview of the MAC course and open up our season against some MAC competition," men's head coach Kelly Leatherman said. "Our men put a lot of work in over the track season and summer to prove to the conference we can make an impact in the postseason. We have a handful of returners and impactful newcomers within our roster. It's going to be a great opportunity to see where we are at and get the body ready for the racing season ahead!"
"We'll have a small group open up their season in a uniform on Friday, definitely looking to get familiar and comfortable with course before the MAC Championships on October 29," women's head coach Lou Snelling said.
Falcon Women Placed 12th in Preseason Rankings
The women's team received a 12th place spot in the Great Lakes Region preseason rankings, which were released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Aug. 30. Bowling Green earned the third highest ranking in the MAC, only trailing Toledo (6th) and Miami (10th). The Falcons finished 14th in the final rankings of 2021 following a fourth place finish at the MAC Championships and their best mark at the Great Lakes Regionals (14th) since 2015.
Up Next
The Falcons will compete in their first home meet of the season when they host the Mel Brodt Collegiate Open on Friday, Sept. 16, at the Bowling Green Cross Country Course. The meet will open with the women's 6k at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's 8k at 6:05 p.m.
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'
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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