By: Jenia Freewalt, sports information assistant

HOLLAND, Mich. - The final race of the 2022 cross country season for the Beavers took place on Saturday, Nov. 2022 at the NCAA D3 Great Lakes Regional XC Championships. This race served as one final opportunity for the Beavers to leave it all out on the course and show off the hard work they've done all season.

At 11 a.m. the official fired the starting gun, starting the women's 6k Race. The racing conditions were the coldest the Beavers had seen this year, and snow and sleet came down hard during both the women's and men's races. Blazing across the line coming in first for the Beavers was sophomore Basil Gates (Galion), earning a new season best with a time of 24:20. Junior Jenia Freewalt (Delphos/St. John's) was the next for Bluffton, flying across the line and earning a season best of 26:04. Sophomore Olivia Daugherty (Bradford) had an amazing race, running a time of 26:13 which shattered her previous personal record. Finishing in fourth for the Beavers and and setting a new PR of 26:31 was junior Brooke Barnes (Ashland/Crestview). Sophomore Sammie Unger (Kenton) also had a fantastic race, setting a new PR of 27:33.

An hour after the start of the women's race, the gun sounded for the start of the men's 8k Race. Shooting across the line, coming in first for the Beavers was sophomore Cole Kropka (New London). Kropka set an incredible PR of 26:12. Not only did Kropka PR, but this amazing time also earned him 3rd place on Bluffton's all-time list, making Kropka the 3rd fastest men's cross-country runner in school history!

"I think our ream had a really good meet considering the uncertainty we had all week of who was going to be healthy and run," said Kropka. "All season I had been looking forward to this race knowing that it would most likely be cold and potentially be snowing, which is always when I run my best races. I knew that I had enough talent to potentially be 9th or 10th on the all-time list, but I was never expecting to be able to say that I'm now top three in school history."

Kropka, like the rest of his teammates, are already looking ahead to track season and are ready to build on the progress they have made thus far.

Following Kropka was junior Ethan Ly (Celina), flying across the line after a great race setting a new PR with a time of 27:32. Finishing in third for the Beavers was freshman Aidan Gatchell (Dunkirk/Hardin Northern), earning a new PR with an awesome time of 27:57. Setting a new season best after an outstanding race was junior Alex Montross (Perrysburg), racing a time of 28:21.

Senior Morgan Adams (Dublin/Coffman) officially completed his final XC season at Bluffton University having a great race and finishing with a time of 30:43. Thank you, Morgan, for your hard work and dedication to the team.

Finishing up his first season with the Beavers, Head Coach Connor Gulick reflected on this race and the season by saying, "I don't think I could have asked for a better way to end the season with this group. They really left it all out on the course today. Though the snow and slush were coming down, they didn't let that deter them from what they wanted to accomplish. I couldn't be more proud of this group and excited to see what they can accomplish this track season."

With heads high after a great season, the Beavers eagerly await the beginning of the indoor track and field season and for another chance to compete!

-BEAVERS-