Sept. 13, 2008

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Bluffton University cross country teams traveled to Defiance College for the Defiance Invitational on Saturday, Sept, 13, 2008. This was the Beavers' first competition of the season.

Leading the Bluffton University women's team was junior Sarah Binkley (Bluffton/Cory-Rawson) who placed 16th overall with a time of 24:16.30. Freshman Heather Smith (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) was close behind Binkley as she crossed the line at 24:16.98 and finished 17th overall. Rachel Huelsman (Celina/Coldwater) and Deborah Davis (Seneca, Penn./Christian Life Academy) placed 24th and 25th, respectively, with times of 26:50 and 27:00. Rachel Giovarelli (Wauseon/Pettisville) finished 28th with a time of 29:38.00.

Freshman Andrew Chaffee (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) paced the Bluffton University men's team in his first collegiate race. Chaffee placed 13th with a time of 31:45.00. Senior Justin Derringer finished 25th overall and crossed the line in 33:59.00. Teammate Ben Siebert (Celina/Celina) finished just off Derringer's pace with a time of 34:08.00. Brian Timpe (Wauseon/Pike-Delta-York) was the final Beaver to cross the line for his team with a time of 36:24.00.

The Beavers return to action Saturday, September 20, when they travel to the Cedarville Invitational. It is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

-BEAVERS-