BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University Cross Country program kicked off the 2024 season at the Beaver Dam Invite, held right in our very own Nature Preserve on a sweltering Friday, Aug. 30. The races comprised of some shorter distances to kick off the season with a 5k for the women and a 6k for the men.
The women's team kicked off the night with a squad comprised entirely of freshmen making their college debuts. Jenna Stewart (Thornville/Sheridan) was working her way back from injury and used this race as a mini workout. The duo of Sara Smith (Mansfield/Madison Comprehensive) and Kamryn McDonald (Marion/Harding) started off the season with a bang. Smith led the squad and already bested her high school PR by 13 seconds, running a 21:40 which placed her just outside the top 20. McDonald capped off the night with a 25:31.
The men followed the women's race with the 6k and showed out in their own right, finishing 4th on the night. Leading the way was senior Cole Kropka (New London), where he placed in the top 15 with a 20:09, bettering his time from a year ago on this course by 19 seconds. Next across the line for the Beavers was senior Braeden Horn (Galion) with a time of 21:06. Junior Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) was up next with a 21:31.
Rounding out the top 5 was sophomore Grant Beasley (Versailles) and freshman Kaden McWatters (Genoa) with times of 22:03 and 22:19, respectively. Also, making their college debuts were freshmen Jordan Croy (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf), who finished with a 23:18, and Skylar Williams (Navarre/Fairless) with a 26:22.
Head Coach Connor Gulick on his thoughts about the races, "Overall, I was pleased with how both teams raced. Our freshmen squad didn't look fazed at all in their first race. I saw some glimpses of what I have seen in practice, but still some things we can work on as we get up to the first full distance race."
Both squads will return to action on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Indiana Wesleyan Twilight Meet in their first full distance race of the year.
-BEAVERS-
