TicketsSept. 3, 2005
Complete Women's Results
Complete Men's Results
KETTERING, Ohio -- Senior Karen Berling beat the field of 70 runners at the Flyer 5K Challenge in Kettering, Ohio on Saturday. The win led the women's team to its first meet victory of the season, while the men earned second place behind the defending champion, Miami.
Berling, who finished with a time of 18:58, became the second consecutive Bearcat to win the women's title. Former runner Ruth Limo won last year.
Berling battled with the front runners much of the race. She took the lead for good in the final stretch, finishing six seconds ahead of Miami's Sarah Henize.
"It was exciting. I've been ready for it all summer," said Berling following her victory. "It's what I've been thinking about on all the training runs. That's how I wanted to start out."
Freshman Ellen Knopf had a successful start to her collegiate career by finishing sixth overall in 19:16. Rounding out the scoring for the Bearcats were junior Cristy Doll (19:26), and sophomores Nichole Leslie (19:29) and Jennifer Hannen (19:39).
The Cincinnati men's team was led by the trio of junior Kevin Schwarz (15:39), sophomore John Dixon (15:44), and junior Taylor Garvin (15:46) who took three of the top five spots. Junior Eric Mayhaus and freshman Rick King completed the Bearcats' leading five.
Garvin was pleased with the team's second place performance. "As a team, I think we put ourselves in position to win. We have room for improvement, but we're definitely going to get there."
Miami's Chris Swisher took the men's title in 15:33.
The Bearcats will face Miami again on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Miami Fall Classic in Oxford, Ohio. The meet is scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. start.
Top Cincinnati Finishers (Women)
1. Karen Berling......18:58,
6. Ellen Knopf.........19:16,
9. Cristy Doll...........19:26,
10. Nichole Leslie.....19:29,
13. Jennifer Hannen...19:39,
Top Cincinnati Finishers (Men)
3. Kevin Schwarz..........15:39,
4. John Dixon...............15:44,
5. Taylor Garvin............15:46,
11. Eric Mayhaus...........15:57,
13. Rick King...............16:04,