Women's Heartland Conference Release I Men's Heartland Conference Release
By: Jenia Freewalt, sports information assistant
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Beavers jumped back into cross-country season for one day only on Sunday, March 14, to compete at the Heartland Conference Cross Country Championship Meet in Louisville, Kentucky.
The women's team kicked off the meet with a 6k race through the mud and hills on Sunday afternoon. Head Coach and Program Director Kaylea Jachno was pleased with the women's performance, saying "The women's team put together an amazing race. With a team of mostly freshmen, we were able to do some amazing things. A fourth-place finish with a small team consisting mostly of underclassmen is an amazing accomplishment! We raced extremely well and I'm excited for what we can do in the future."
Bluffton's women were led by freshman Jenía Freewalt (Delphos/St. John's) with a time of 25:40.67. Sophomore Justine Lesniewski (Mantua/Crestwood) followed with a time of 25:44.43, while freshman Miranda Billman (Castalia/Margaretta) finished with a time of 26:01.57.
During the women's race freshman, and captain of the women's team Jenia Freewalt ran a smart, yet gutsy, race to secure herself a top 12 finish and with that HCAC All-Conference honors. Lesniewski and Billman both earned Honorable Mention All-HCAC acclaim as the women placed fourth at the championships.
Following the women's championship, the men got ready to tear up the course in their 8k race. Coach Jachno was especially proud of the teamwork displayed during the men's competition, saying, "The men's team had a very solid race. The leadership of sophomore captain Max Chandler (Liberty Township/Lakota East) allowed our top three guys to race smartly. Max took the guys out at a good pace which allowed them to race hard through the first 5k. Because of this leadership, freshmen Ethan Ly (Celina) and Alex Montross (Perrysburg) were able to use that experience from the upperclassmen to run a successful race." Leading the men's team were freshman Ly with a time of 27:26.45, Montross with a time of 27:34.81 and Chandler with a time of 28:51.86. Ly earned Honorable Mention All-HCAC recognition.
After a day of successful races, the Beavers continue their training in preparation for the beginning of outdoor track season which will kick off at Cedarville on Saturday, March 27.
-BEAVERS-
