Friday, September 17
East Lansing, Michigan
1:35 pm
Bowling Green State University
at
Spartan Invitational
Falcons Gear Up for Spartan Invitational
Thu, Sep, 16 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
BGSU Looks to Build Upon Strong Mel Brodt Results
MEN'S COURSE MAP -- WOMEN'S COURSE MAP
Less than one week removed from a successful Mel Brodt Invitational, the Bowling Green State University cross country teams will travel tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 17) to East Lansing, Mich. to compete at the Spartan Invitational.
Led by a third-place finish courtesy of senior Chris Moody, the men's team registered its highest finish in a multi-team meet in several years at the Mel Brodt. The Falcons trailed only Siena Heights and regionally ranked Dayton as they placed third in a seven-team field.
Meanwhile, the women's team earned their first victory since 2009's Mel Brodt Invitational by taking four of the top five spots in the 5K race. Falcon runners were led by sophomore Abby Koch, who took individual honors by finishing the course in 0:18:07. Koch won by 15 seconds and broke her personal record for the 5K by nearly 40 seconds.
About the Mel Brodt meet, Head Coach Cami Paulson said, “I was very pleased with the progress of both teams last weekend. They really responded positively after the disappointing loss to Toledo and worked on being more confident and aggressive.”
Paulson continued, “They are now moving very well in the right direction to just keep building from week to week and meet to meet to reach our ultimate goals. Each meet we evaluate what we want to work on for the next meet and work on racing better each opportunity that we have throughout the season.”
Paulson also likes the team's progress over the entire season to date.
“I am very pleased with contributions that each team member makes on a daily basis. We are in a very good place now as a result of each person doing their part to be positive and work hard and be confident, that spreads and grows week to week,” Paulson said.
This week, the field gets more difficult.
On the men's side, thirteen Falcon runners will travel to East Lansing for the 8K event to begin at 1:35pm. Waiting for them will be the host Michigan State Spartans, ranked 18th in the most recent United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) poll.
The Orange and Brown will also have to tackle two different Mid-American Conference foes – Central Michigan and Miami.
The field of competition also includes teams from Findlay, Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State and Valparaiso.
Joining Chris Moody in BGSU's lineup will be Greg Black, Abraham Busienei, Jeff Ehler, Brian Ferber, Josh Franek, Perry Fraylick, Rob Kelvey, Jason Salyer, Jesse Smuda, Joe van Bolderen, Luke Zerkle, and Ian Zimmerman.
The women's team faces an increase in distance, as they will run 6K beginning at 1:00pm.
The Falcon women's squad also has to face a nationally ranked Spartan team, as the Spartan women are ranked 21st in the latest USTFCCCA. Unlike the men, however, the Bowling Green women also have to face the University of Michigan, who rank 27th in the same poll.
Miami and Central Michigan are sending women's team to the meet, creating a MAC test for the Falcons. If facing two nationally ranked opponents were not enough, Miami received two votes in the USTFCCCA national poll.
Abby Koch, looking for a second-consecutive individual victory, will be joined by 11 others in the Falcon lineup. Travelling to East Lansing will be Katie Borgelt, Heather Conger, Autumn Dettmann, Caitlin Flack, Saisha Gailliard, Sally Kandie, Megan Kelsey, Courtney Krummert, Barbara Powers, Taylor Stichter, and Tara Weiss.
Asked about the goals the team has for the Spartan Invitational, Paulson said, “We want to work on closing the gaps between runners this week and do a better job of working together as a team out on the course. We want to race well against the other MAC schools in the meet this weekend and build on what we did last week to prepare for the future.”
Both men's and women's races will be held on the Forest Acres East Golf Course. Weather conditions are expected to be good, with temperatures in the 60s, light wind and only a slight chance of rain.
Of special note, this is a not a scored event, so the final results will not include team standings.
Less than one week removed from a successful Mel Brodt Invitational, the Bowling Green State University cross country teams will travel tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 17) to East Lansing, Mich. to compete at the Spartan Invitational.
Led by a third-place finish courtesy of senior Chris Moody, the men's team registered its highest finish in a multi-team meet in several years at the Mel Brodt. The Falcons trailed only Siena Heights and regionally ranked Dayton as they placed third in a seven-team field.
Meanwhile, the women's team earned their first victory since 2009's Mel Brodt Invitational by taking four of the top five spots in the 5K race. Falcon runners were led by sophomore Abby Koch, who took individual honors by finishing the course in 0:18:07. Koch won by 15 seconds and broke her personal record for the 5K by nearly 40 seconds.
About the Mel Brodt meet, Head Coach Cami Paulson said, “I was very pleased with the progress of both teams last weekend. They really responded positively after the disappointing loss to Toledo and worked on being more confident and aggressive.”
Paulson continued, “They are now moving very well in the right direction to just keep building from week to week and meet to meet to reach our ultimate goals. Each meet we evaluate what we want to work on for the next meet and work on racing better each opportunity that we have throughout the season.”
Paulson also likes the team's progress over the entire season to date.
“I am very pleased with contributions that each team member makes on a daily basis. We are in a very good place now as a result of each person doing their part to be positive and work hard and be confident, that spreads and grows week to week,” Paulson said.
This week, the field gets more difficult.
On the men's side, thirteen Falcon runners will travel to East Lansing for the 8K event to begin at 1:35pm. Waiting for them will be the host Michigan State Spartans, ranked 18th in the most recent United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) poll.
The Orange and Brown will also have to tackle two different Mid-American Conference foes – Central Michigan and Miami.
The field of competition also includes teams from Findlay, Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State and Valparaiso.
Joining Chris Moody in BGSU's lineup will be Greg Black, Abraham Busienei, Jeff Ehler, Brian Ferber, Josh Franek, Perry Fraylick, Rob Kelvey, Jason Salyer, Jesse Smuda, Joe van Bolderen, Luke Zerkle, and Ian Zimmerman.
The women's team faces an increase in distance, as they will run 6K beginning at 1:00pm.
The Falcon women's squad also has to face a nationally ranked Spartan team, as the Spartan women are ranked 21st in the latest USTFCCCA. Unlike the men, however, the Bowling Green women also have to face the University of Michigan, who rank 27th in the same poll.
Miami and Central Michigan are sending women's team to the meet, creating a MAC test for the Falcons. If facing two nationally ranked opponents were not enough, Miami received two votes in the USTFCCCA national poll.
Abby Koch, looking for a second-consecutive individual victory, will be joined by 11 others in the Falcon lineup. Travelling to East Lansing will be Katie Borgelt, Heather Conger, Autumn Dettmann, Caitlin Flack, Saisha Gailliard, Sally Kandie, Megan Kelsey, Courtney Krummert, Barbara Powers, Taylor Stichter, and Tara Weiss.
Asked about the goals the team has for the Spartan Invitational, Paulson said, “We want to work on closing the gaps between runners this week and do a better job of working together as a team out on the course. We want to race well against the other MAC schools in the meet this weekend and build on what we did last week to prepare for the future.”
Both men's and women's races will be held on the Forest Acres East Golf Course. Weather conditions are expected to be good, with temperatures in the 60s, light wind and only a slight chance of rain.
Of special note, this is a not a scored event, so the final results will not include team standings.
Return to BGSUFalcons.com tomorrow afternoon for full results and a complete recap.