Falcons Compete At Ohio Men's Distance Open

For the first time during the 2011 outdoor track and field season, runners from the Bowling Green State University men's cross country team competed, as they raced in several distance events on Saturday (April 9) in Athens, Ohio.

The Falcons, who are permitted to compete in several track and field meets each season, ran in four events on Saturday -- the 800 meters, the 1500 meters, the 5000 meters, and the 3000 meter steeplechase.

Four members of the Orange and Brown squad ran in the 800 meter race.  Peter Miles was tops in the group, placing fourth with a time of 2:02.33.  Team newcomer Kyle Grassel finished less than one second behind Miles (2:03.31) and placed seventh.  Luke Zerkle and Ian Zimmerman finished within a half-second of each other; Zerkle's time was 2:06.13 while Zimmerman posted a mark of 2:06.48.

Miles and Zerkle each also competed in the 1500 meter event.  Again, Miles led the Falcons.  His time of 4:11.04 earned tenth place.  Zerkle completed the distance in 4:14.34 and finished 15th.

Josh Franek was the lone BGSU entrant in the steeplechase, and he finished third (10:10.95).

Six other Falcons took part in the 5K run.  Jason Salyer earned third place after crossing the finish in 15:14.00.  Ryan Harrison's time (15:47.69) was good enough for tenth place.  Greg Black (16:10.19) and Jesse Smuda (16:15.21) finished back-to-back, as did Perry Fraylick and Joe van Bolderen.  Fraylick posted a mark of 16:41.28, while vanBolderen finished in 17:12.26.