Katy Zang Sets Sam Bell 4K Course Record in 12:36.2

Katy Zang opened her collegiate career with a dominant victory Friday at the Sam Bell Invitational in Bloomington, Indiana.

The former Teays Valley standout covered 4,000 meters in 12:36.2, setting a Sam Bell Cross Country Course 4K record and finishing nearly a minute ahead of the field. Zang took control early, passing the 2K mark 36 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. She was the only runner to break 13:30.

Her performance led Indiana to a commanding team victory with 21 points, ahead of Bradley with 36 and Ball State with 81. Bradley's Noelle Steines finished second in 13:30, followed by Indiana's Maddie Rocchio in 13:46 and Lily Myers in 13:48. Bradley's Pauline Klessiek placed fifth in 13:57 before Jasmine Martoglio (14:01) and Lucinda Rourke (14:04) completed Indiana's scoring in sixth and seventh.

The win marked Zang's first race as a Hoosier following a decorated senior season at Teays Valley. Her 2026 track campaign included a 9:37.15 two-mile and 4:35.02 mile at New Balance Nationals Indoor, along with a 9:14.19 3,000m and 4:19.36 1,500m at New Balance Nationals Outdoor.

Zang's previous fastest 5K cross country performance was a 17:04.28 at the New Balance RunningLane XC Championships last December, following a 13th-place finish at NXR Midwest. Friday's race was her collegiate debut and her first competitive appearance since closing out her high school career last spring.

Bradley controlled the men's race, sweeping the top three places on its way to a 23-34 victory over Indiana. Travis Gaffney earned the individual win in 18:10, with teammate Jayde Rosslee also clocking 18:10 and Jacob Trangmar following in third at 18:14.

Indiana answered by taking the next four places. Anthony Provenzano led the Hoosiers in fourth at 18:19, followed by Dom Ellis in 18:23, Alex Bruns in 18:26 and Liam Bauschke in 18:28.

Bradley ultimately secured the team victory when Jaxson Copelin (18:29) and Caleb Lind (18:31) finished eighth and ninth, giving the Braves five scorers inside the top nine and a 21-second spread. Ahmed Saleh completed Indiana's scoring in 12th at 18:43.