By: Jenia Freewalt, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - On Saturday, Oct. 29, Bluffton University was proud to host the HCAC Championship at the Bluffton Nature Preserve. After weeks of preparation from the University and months from Head Coach Connor Gulick, the event was a success! The Bluffton Beaver Cross Country team is very thankful for the time and effort the campus put into hosting this event. The athletes worked all season in preparation for this race, and walked away with their heads high, knowing they left it all out on the course.
The championship race kicked off with the sounding of the gun for the start of the women's 6k race at noon. The women's team had an amazing performance, with the majority of the squad setting new PR's and season bests. Flying across the line with a great race was sophomore Basil Gates (Galion), earning 25th place with a time of 25:47. Striding across the line just a few places behind was junior Jenia Freewalt (Delphos/St. John's), finishing in 29th place with a time of 26:18 which was a season best. Following closely behind and finishing an incredible race was sophomore Olivia Daugherty (Bradford), taking 33rd place while setting a PR of 26:36.
Junior Brooke Barnes (Ashland/Crestview) finished a phenomenal race and established a season best with a time of 27:10. Also setting a big season best was sophomore Sammie Unger (Kenton) with an amazing time of 27:42. While the women's team placed 7th overall, they were overjoyed with how their teammates did, and were very proud of each other and their accomplishments on the day.
The men's 8k Race took off at 1 PM after the women's race ended. Finishing in first place for the Beavers with an amazing race was sophomore Cole Kropka (New London), soaring across the line to finish in 22nd place overall, and setting a new PR of 27:00. Earning second on the team was junior Ethan Ly (Celina), finishing a great race in 37th place with a time of 27:47. Following Ly and running a gutsy race while setting an awesome PR of 28:05 was freshman Aidan Gatchell (Dunkirk/Hardin Northern). Finishing closely behind his teammate, junior Alex Montross (Perrysburg) had an amazing race, setting a new season best of 28:22 and finishing in 46th.
Freshman Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) shattered his old PR, setting a new personal record of 28:54. Also setting new PRs were junior Zach Boch (Lancaster) with a time of 28:59 and sophomore Aiden Brien (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) with a time of 32:09, each having outstanding races. The men's team finished in 7th place on Saturday.
Senior Morgan Adams (Dublin/Coffman) ran a great race and wrapped up his last HCAC Championship race and an amazing season by setting a PR of 29:44. He is very thankful for his time as a member of the Bluffton University cross country team. "This was a great season and I loved every moment with this team," said Adams. "They definitely made going to practice better during the hard workouts. I'm thankful for Coach Gulick and for all the things he's taught me this season. I've come a long way and improved a lot. I'm going to miss the team and competing". The team and coaches would like to thank Adams for his work and attitude on the team and for the enthusiasm he brings to every practice and meet. Once a Beaver, always a Beaver.
With the day being packed full of successful races, Head Coach Connor Gulick had a lot to say about the team's performance. "We could not have asked for a better day with the weather today," said Coach Gulick. "To be back in the Nature Preserve brought back a lot of memories and everyone had a lot of great things to say about the meet. The ladies ran really well. For being a small team, they ran tough and really left it all out there. I think Livy really was the personification of the toughness the women's team has run with all year. Considering that she was not at 100 percent, for her to push through and run a PR was awesome to see. The men's side was a mixed bag. We had a lot of younger guys step up for the team today with good races. With most of this group returning next year, I'm excited to see what is in store for these teams."
But the season's not over yet! The Beavers have one final race of the season. They will get to it again for the NCAA Regionals at Hope College on Saturday, Nov. 12. They will continue to train in preparation of this final race.
-BEAVERS-
