By: Jenia Freewalt, sports information assistant
WILMINGTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University Beavers were at the line again on Friday, Oct. 15, to race at the 2023 Jenna Strong Invitational on the campus of Wilmington College. It was their last regular-season meet of the 2023 cross country season, and for the meet being in the middle of October, it was a hot day! With a course filled with winding paths, hills in the woods, and a creek to run through, the race made for an eventful experience for the Beavers!
"It was nice to be able to race on a variety of terrains throughout the race," said senior Jenia Freewalt. "While the course may not have made for the fastest times, it was a very fun course to get to experience!"
At 4:30 p.m. with the sun beating down on them, the five members of the Bluffton women's team took off along with the 235 other competitors at the start of the women's 5k Race. Finishing in first place for the Beavers was senior Jenia Freewalt (Delphos/St. John's), running a time of 22:22! Junior Basil Gates (Galion) was next with a time of 22:39. Junior Sammie Unger (Kenton) and senior Brooke Barnes (Ashland/Crestview) ran in a pack, finishing the race with times of 24:26 and 24:55, respectively. Coming in 5th for the Beavers was freshman McKenna Mabry (Ventura, Cal./Buena), finishing with a time of 26:18.
The starting gun sounded for the start of the men's 8k race at 5:15 p.m. on Friday. With a total of 319 runners at the line, the Beavers had to get out a little fast to try to put themselves in a good position for the rest of the race. Finishing in 85th place overall was junior Cole Kropka (New London), charting a time of 27:58. Keeping a tight pack were senior Alex Montross (Perrysburg) 28:46, junior Braeden Horn (Galion) 28:51, and sophomore Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) 29:06, finishing the race within 20 seconds of each other! Coming in 5th for the Beavers was senior Ethan Ly (Celina) with a time of 31:04.
While the team as a whole may not have seen the times they were hoping for, many commented on the fun course, saying that if felt like a true cross-country experience. "After 10 years of cross country, I think this was my most extreme course yet," explained senior Brooke Barnes after finishing her race. "Not only did we run all terrain through creeks and mountains, but I was almost taken out by a deer about halfway through the race! All in all, it proved to be a really fun race!"
The Beavers returned home to continue their training in preparation for the HCAC Championships in Shelbyville, Ind., on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
-BEAVERS-