Tickets// CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati cross country teams raced in the FSU Invite/Pre-Nationals on Friday, October 15. The men's team competed in the Garnet 8k Race and the women's team competed in the Open 6k Race.
The UC Men's team placed 23rd of the 40 teams in the Men's Garnet 8k event. The women's team placed 7th of 27 in the Women's Open 6k event. Northern Arizona won the men's garnet title and Tennessee won the women's team open title.
This was the toughest competition the Bearcats have faced yet, with teams coming in from across the country to race at the site that will later hold NCAA championship races. Ellie Leather ran a 6k PR and placed 4th in the women's open 6k with a time of 20:57.4. Alec Sandusky ran his new fastest 8k with a time of 23:44.7, which earned him 42nd place.
Coach Lucas Rothenberger said of the men's team that he is "Really proud of the guys effort today. They hung really tough in an incredibly deep and talented field. We took a big step from Notre Dame. Certainly not a perfect day, but in two more weeks we will be better and if we continue to trend the right direction I think we will finish the year in a nice spot."
Coach Lara Rogers, on the women's team: "Women had a nice day. Traveling down here, competing in the heat, against some of the best teams in the nation-we got a lot out of it. It was another confidence booster heading into the championship part of the season. For the race itself-the team moved really well, from 11th at 3k up to the 7th at the finish.
Individually Ellie had a very nice day-finishing as the 3rd collegian in that caliber of a field bodes well for the post season. Maddie Walker also ran very well. She's been such a solid number two for us and today she showed shes ready for the post season. And of course Sam Mikula-after a couple injury plagued years, she came out today surpassed her previous best self, and is ready for the post season. We are looking forward to the next many weeks of racing!"
// MEN'S RACE
The entire UC men's squad proved they can compete at a high level against the teams in the Garnet race in Tallahassee, with all of the top 8 posting personal records in the 8k. Following Sandusky, Tyler Wirth placed 119th with a time of 24:22.0, moving up 13 places in the last 1k of the race. Toni Baños came up third for the Bearcats with a time of 24:31.5, finishing in 137th.
// WOMEN'S RACE
Leather ran a strong 6k that earned her a 6k Personal Record and a 4th place finish in the women's open race. Throughout the entire race as she was able to stay with the frontrunners as many athletes dropped back. The rest of the women's team ran at a strong pace as well, with almost every member making up places in the last 1k.
Following Leather, Maddie Walker finished 33rd with a time of 21:54.1. Sam Mikula came in third for the Bearcats with her 6k Personal Record as well, placing 69th with a 22:31.4. Jen Cooper also ran her 6k Personal Record today with a time of 23:34.4.
// 2021 FSU INVITATIONAL
Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 • Apalachee Regional Park • Tallahassee, FL
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up to the minute updates, race results, and more follow UC Track & Field/Cross Country (@GoBearcatsTFXC) on Twitter, Facebook (GoBearcatsTFXC) and Instagram (GoBearcatsTFXC) and join in the conversation by using the hashtag #Bearcats.
// RESULTS
Women's Open 6k Race Results
4. Ellie Leather – 20:57.4*
33. Maddie Walker – 21:54.1
69. Sam Mikula – 22:31.4*
77. Carmela Henning – 22:36.3
121. Lauren Kemper – 23:08.3
138. Maggie Beritenstein – 23:19.2
149. Jen Cooper – 23:34.4*
198. Katie Engle – 24:29.7
Men's Garnet 8k Race Results
42. Alec Sandusky – 23:44.7*
119. Tyler Wirth – 24:22.0*
137. Toni Baños – 24:31.5*
175. Julius Hild - 24:47.3*
199. Jonathan Harley – 24:57.0*
226. Matt Hoak – 25:13.3*
229. Christian Stevens – 25:15.1*
272. Jack Barchet – 25:48.0*
Men's Open 8k Race Results
103. Ryan Pehlman – 26:05.1
138. Siro Pina Cardona – 26:35.2
*Personal Record
The UC Men's team placed 23rd of the 40 teams in the Men's Garnet 8k event. The women's team placed 7th of 27 in the Women's Open 6k event. Northern Arizona won the men's garnet title and Tennessee won the women's team open title.
This was the toughest competition the Bearcats have faced yet, with teams coming in from across the country to race at the site that will later hold NCAA championship races. Ellie Leather ran a 6k PR and placed 4th in the women's open 6k with a time of 20:57.4. Alec Sandusky ran his new fastest 8k with a time of 23:44.7, which earned him 42nd place.
Ellie Leather is on 🔥 - Another Top 4 finish in the Women's Open 6k at the FSU Invite in 20:57.4 #gobearcats pic.twitter.com/v7kp70RhIb
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) October 15, 2021
Coach Lucas Rothenberger said of the men's team that he is "Really proud of the guys effort today. They hung really tough in an incredibly deep and talented field. We took a big step from Notre Dame. Certainly not a perfect day, but in two more weeks we will be better and if we continue to trend the right direction I think we will finish the year in a nice spot."
Coach Lara Rogers, on the women's team: "Women had a nice day. Traveling down here, competing in the heat, against some of the best teams in the nation-we got a lot out of it. It was another confidence booster heading into the championship part of the season. For the race itself-the team moved really well, from 11th at 3k up to the 7th at the finish.
Individually Ellie had a very nice day-finishing as the 3rd collegian in that caliber of a field bodes well for the post season. Maddie Walker also ran very well. She's been such a solid number two for us and today she showed shes ready for the post season. And of course Sam Mikula-after a couple injury plagued years, she came out today surpassed her previous best self, and is ready for the post season. We are looking forward to the next many weeks of racing!"
// MEN'S RACE
The entire UC men's squad proved they can compete at a high level against the teams in the Garnet race in Tallahassee, with all of the top 8 posting personal records in the 8k. Following Sandusky, Tyler Wirth placed 119th with a time of 24:22.0, moving up 13 places in the last 1k of the race. Toni Baños came up third for the Bearcats with a time of 24:31.5, finishing in 137th.
// WOMEN'S RACE
Leather ran a strong 6k that earned her a 6k Personal Record and a 4th place finish in the women's open race. Throughout the entire race as she was able to stay with the frontrunners as many athletes dropped back. The rest of the women's team ran at a strong pace as well, with almost every member making up places in the last 1k.
Following Leather, Maddie Walker finished 33rd with a time of 21:54.1. Sam Mikula came in third for the Bearcats with her 6k Personal Record as well, placing 69th with a 22:31.4. Jen Cooper also ran her 6k Personal Record today with a time of 23:34.4.
// 2021 FSU INVITATIONAL
Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 • Apalachee Regional Park • Tallahassee, FL
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up to the minute updates, race results, and more follow UC Track & Field/Cross Country (@GoBearcatsTFXC) on Twitter, Facebook (GoBearcatsTFXC) and Instagram (GoBearcatsTFXC) and join in the conversation by using the hashtag #Bearcats.
// RESULTS
Some great results from the FSU Invite today for both our squads‼️ #GoBearcats pic.twitter.com/j42GlxxAq1
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) October 15, 2021
Women's Open 6k Race Results
4. Ellie Leather – 20:57.4*
33. Maddie Walker – 21:54.1
69. Sam Mikula – 22:31.4*
77. Carmela Henning – 22:36.3
121. Lauren Kemper – 23:08.3
138. Maggie Beritenstein – 23:19.2
149. Jen Cooper – 23:34.4*
198. Katie Engle – 24:29.7
Men's Garnet 8k Race Results
42. Alec Sandusky – 23:44.7*
119. Tyler Wirth – 24:22.0*
137. Toni Baños – 24:31.5*
175. Julius Hild - 24:47.3*
199. Jonathan Harley – 24:57.0*
226. Matt Hoak – 25:13.3*
229. Christian Stevens – 25:15.1*
272. Jack Barchet – 25:48.0*
Men's Open 8k Race Results
103. Ryan Pehlman – 26:05.1
138. Siro Pina Cardona – 26:35.2
*Personal Record