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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Anthony Sweet returns after finishing in the top 25 and top 100 at the MAC Championship and NCAA Great Lakes Regional, respectfully.
Men’s Cross Country Season Preview: Falcons Fearing No One In 2024
August 28, 2024 | Men's Cross Country
Bowling Green, Ohio – First-year assistant cross country coach Candace Archer has a simple phrase she has been telling the 2024 version of the Bowling Green men's cross country squad.
'Respect everyone, fear no one.'
Despite finishing in last place at the Mid-American Conference Championship each of the last three seasons, Archer thinks this theme will help drive the team to a higher level and help them possess more confidence.
"I think a lot of athletes in general get instilled with fear because of expectations that other people put on them and what they put on themselves," Archer – who leads the men's cross country team – said. "I've been telling them to be proud of themselves, show up for each other and everything will work out. I think that's calmed them in a sense but has also instilled confidence in them."
Despite losing four runners from last year's squad, the Falcons return their best in graduate student Anthony Sweet – who first competed for BG in 2023 after a two-year, record-breaking running career for the Ohio State Running Club. The graduate student finished in the top 25 at the MAC Championships and in the top 100 at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional last season.
"Anthony has big goals for himself, but he also has big goals for the program," Archer said. "He cares so much and makes it his mission, and that really sets him apart. It's what he's meant to do – try his best and be there for other people. To have him back, it really sets the tone for this team for years to come."
Charlie Nowinski is the only senior on the squad, while a trio of juniors (Josh Risko, Hunter Sidle and Bryce Weber) and sophomores (Micah Bentley, Ben Myers and Luke Woolard) round out the returners. Archer pointed out that Bentley and Sidle have stepped up in more leadership roles despite being sophomores., and freshman Luke Lesseuer will be the lone newcomer on the squad.
"Luke fits in like a puzzle piece," Archer said of Lesseuer. "He is self-sufficient and takes his training into his own hands, which shows a lot of maturity in a runner. He trusts himself and knows his body, and I think that's going to be impactful for the other runners as well. It really seems like he belongs here."
How to best elevate her team is a question that Archer – who ran six years collegiately at West Virginia University and was All-Big 12 and All-Region in cross country in 2019 – has pondered throughout her first seven months on the job. While the squad has only nine runners, she believes that this team possesses positive energy and is in a different mindset that will be beneficial throughout the season.
"They've really tried to shift their mindset this fall," Archer said. "My roster this year is small, so each of them knows that I'm counting on them. Everyone plays a part, and everyone is a leader on this team in their own way. Cross country is about your team, and so they're focusing on their team dynamic, keeping each other accountable and trusting each other. I think that's really going to play into how they compete this season."
2024 Schedule
Follow The Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons cross country teams throughout the season on social media.
Twitter – @BGAthletics and @BGSUXCTF
Instagram – 'bgfalcons' and 'BGSUXCTF'
Facebook – 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube – 'Falcon Athletics'
'Respect everyone, fear no one.'
Despite finishing in last place at the Mid-American Conference Championship each of the last three seasons, Archer thinks this theme will help drive the team to a higher level and help them possess more confidence.
"I think a lot of athletes in general get instilled with fear because of expectations that other people put on them and what they put on themselves," Archer – who leads the men's cross country team – said. "I've been telling them to be proud of themselves, show up for each other and everything will work out. I think that's calmed them in a sense but has also instilled confidence in them."
Despite losing four runners from last year's squad, the Falcons return their best in graduate student Anthony Sweet – who first competed for BG in 2023 after a two-year, record-breaking running career for the Ohio State Running Club. The graduate student finished in the top 25 at the MAC Championships and in the top 100 at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional last season.
"Anthony has big goals for himself, but he also has big goals for the program," Archer said. "He cares so much and makes it his mission, and that really sets him apart. It's what he's meant to do – try his best and be there for other people. To have him back, it really sets the tone for this team for years to come."
Charlie Nowinski is the only senior on the squad, while a trio of juniors (Josh Risko, Hunter Sidle and Bryce Weber) and sophomores (Micah Bentley, Ben Myers and Luke Woolard) round out the returners. Archer pointed out that Bentley and Sidle have stepped up in more leadership roles despite being sophomores., and freshman Luke Lesseuer will be the lone newcomer on the squad.
"Luke fits in like a puzzle piece," Archer said of Lesseuer. "He is self-sufficient and takes his training into his own hands, which shows a lot of maturity in a runner. He trusts himself and knows his body, and I think that's going to be impactful for the other runners as well. It really seems like he belongs here."
How to best elevate her team is a question that Archer – who ran six years collegiately at West Virginia University and was All-Big 12 and All-Region in cross country in 2019 – has pondered throughout her first seven months on the job. While the squad has only nine runners, she believes that this team possesses positive energy and is in a different mindset that will be beneficial throughout the season.
"They've really tried to shift their mindset this fall," Archer said. "My roster this year is small, so each of them knows that I'm counting on them. Everyone plays a part, and everyone is a leader on this team in their own way. Cross country is about your team, and so they're focusing on their team dynamic, keeping each other accountable and trusting each other. I think that's really going to play into how they compete this season."
2024 Schedule
| Date | Meet (Distance) | Course (Location) | Time |
| Fri., Aug. 30 | Tommy Evans Invitational (6K) | Silver Creek Cross Country Park (Norton, Ohio) | 6:45 p.m. |
| Sat., Sept. 14 | We Fly Championship Preview (8K) | Ball State Cross Country Course (Muncie, Ind.) | 3:45 p.m. |
| Sat., Oct. 5 | Paul Short Run (8K) | Goodman Campus Cross Country Course (Lehigh, Pa.) | 11 a.m. |
| Fri., Oct. 18 | Falcon Invitational (8K) | Mel Brodt Cross Country Course (Bowling Green, Ohio) | 4:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Nov. 2 | MAC Championship (8K) | Ball State Cross Country Course (Muncie, Ind.) | TBA |
| Fri., Nov. 15 | NCAA Great Lakes Regional (10K) | Silver Creek Cross Country Park (Norton, Ohio) | TBA |
Follow The Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons cross country teams throughout the season on social media.
Twitter – @BGAthletics and @BGSUXCTF
Instagram – 'bgfalcons' and 'BGSUXCTF'
Facebook – 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube – 'Falcon Athletics'
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
Lou Snelling Post-NCAA Great Lakes Regional Interview (November 15, 2024)
Friday, November 15
Lou Snelling Post-MAC Championships Interview (November 2, 2024)
Friday, November 15
Candace Archer Post-Meet Interview (October 18, 2024)
Monday, October 21
Lou Snelling Post-Meet Interview (October 18, 2024)
Monday, October 21