September 16, 2017

TIFFIN, Ohio -The Bluffton University men's and women's cross country teams trekked to Clinton Heights Golf Course for the "Tiffelberg Open" cross country invitational. The meet, a preview competition for the upcoming OAC championship in late October, brought together a high quality field of NCAA Division III regionally ranked teams as well as local Division II programs.

The women's squad had another "step up" meet in their quest to take the program to the next level with a 5th place finish in the field of nine scoring teams. Junior Jennie Matteson (Guysville/Alexander) led the team home, coming in 16th in the field of 91. Literally on her heels was sophomore Alexis Cash (Gaines, MI/Lake Fenton) in 17th. Continuing their impressive freshman season and coming across the line in team scoring positions 3rd and 4th were Kimmie Hetrick (Fremont/Ross) and Bailie Barrington (Waynesfield/Waynesfield-Goshen). Rounding out the varsity scorers was senior Alissa Hauke (Hillsboro), not far off Barrington and showing her form of last season.

Sophomore Dakota Frost (Edgerton/Hicksville), much as he did last week, brought home an impressive performance. In the heat and humidity and on a hilly course, Frost ran to an 11th place finish in the field of 126 and was only five seconds slower than last week's race which took place in considerably cooler, drier conditions and on a very flat course. Juniors Jonah Eckert (Terre Haute, Ind./West Vigo), Wyatt Baer (Marshallville, Ohio/Smithville) and Jacob Hill (Dayton/Wayne) as well as sophomore Connor Gulick (St. Louisville, Ohio/Utica) composed the remainder of the scoring five for the Beavers.

"We've not ducked serious, storied competitors in our opening three meets," said Head Coach Karen Brandt. "Our youthful teams have not been intimidated in confronting these much more experienced and deeper squads. In fact, the women's team especially has taken a "get after it" attitude in all three meets so far. If they continue to train well and race with this level of verve, the conference and regional meets will be rewarding and very exciting in terms of what these athletes can accomplish."

Both squads enter a nearly two-week intense training block before racing again on Friday, Sept. 29, in the All-Ohio Championship meet to be contested at Cedarville University. The men's 8,000 meter race starts at 2 p.m. followed by the women's 6,000 meter event at 2:45 p.m.

-BEAVERS-