Tickets// CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati cross country teams raced in the American Athletic Conference Championship meet on Friday, October 29. Both teams had great showings at the meet with the women's team placing second and the men's team third. The women's second place finish is the highest in UC history. Tulsa won both team titles.
The top place earned by an individual Bearcat was from Alec Sandusky, placing 3rd in the Men's Championship 8k with a time of 23:57.8. This earned him recognition as an All-Conference Performer. Tyler Wirth also finished as an All-Conference Performer in 8th with a time of 24:34.3.
The women's second place team finish in the Championship 6k came with 3 All-Conference Performers and a top 5 finish. Maddie Walker finished in 5th with a time of 21:30.7, leading the Bearcats' women's team. Following her was Ellie Leather in 22:02.2 and Carmela Henning in 22:02.5.
Lara Rogers, head women's coach, said she "Couldn't be more proud of how the ladies ran today. To secure our highest finish in the AAC was a goal we've been working for all year. We knew it'd be a close battle from 2-4 and that's exactly what happened. It took a true team effort today and every single one of the ladies played a crucial role in our team result. As with any race we had highlights and things that didn't go our way. But today the highlights outweighed the things that didn't go our way. Individually it's always nice to have 3 all conference honorees. Maddie Walker stepped up huge for us getting 5th. To be our 3rd woman ever to finish Top 5 in this conference is a big feat. Ellie got her 3rd all conference in 3 years. It wasn't her day, but she was a major team player and worked hard to secure 10th overall for the team. Then Carmela Henning - what a race. She ran so patiently to work her way through the field all the way up to 12th. After finishing 18th last year this was a really nice one for her. I could speak on every single lady. But this would be 5 mins long. I'll sum it up-I'm really proud! The ladies deserve this! We're beyond excited to head to regionals and make another mark in history."
Men's coach Lucan Rothenberger was "Obviously, a little disappointed with today's result. I think what you want as a coach and a team is to leave a meet feeling like you gave an honest representation of who you are as a team. We weren't able to do that today. We had some really really nice bright spots individually throughout our team which shouldn't be overlooked, so that was great to see. I think it shows the growth of the program that we are now leaving a conference meet with a 3rd place finish scoring less than 80 points and we feel like there's a lot more in the tank. Every athlete on our team has had a good race in the past month, we are just trying to connect the dots and get things to line up on the same day. We will be ready in two weeks at Evansville."
// MEN'S RACE
The men's race was a battle between Cincinnati, Tulsa, and Wichita State right from the start. Sandusky ran with the lead pack for the entire race, pulling away with the top 5 toward the end and earning a clear third place. Tyler Wirth also led a second group for much of the race and held his ground for his 8th place finish.
Many of the UC men's team were able to step up and run great races, steadily moving up in the race. Julius Hild, a freshman on the team, was able to finish 18th in his first AAC race. Matt Hoak and Christian Stevens were the final 2 scoring places for the Bearcats, running together much of the race. Hoak was able to pass some runners in the final stretch, earning a better score for the team.
// WOMEN'S RACE
The UC women's team as a whole ran one of their best races this season. Each runner pushed themselves to stay in front or make up places throughout the race to earn the team second place.
Both Walker and Leather had moments where they were leading the entire race and were able to stay with the lead pack to earn their All-Conference Performer awards. Henning also ran a great race, steadily making her way to the front for 12th place. Sam Mikula and Jodie Pierce rounded out the scoring places for the Bearcats, ultimately placing high enough to keep the Bearcats in second.
// 2021 AAC CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 • Holloway Park • Lakeland, 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 Championship 6k Race Results
5. Maddie Walker – 21:30.7*
10. Ellie Leather – 22:02.2
12. Carmela Henning – 22:02.5
28. Sam Mikula – 22:34.5
37. Jodie Pierce – 22:56.7
38. Lauren Kemper – 22:56.7
39. Maggie Breitenstein – 22:58.4
84. Jen Cooper – 25:17.6
Men's Garnet 8k Race Results
3. Alec Sandusky – 23:57.8
8. Tyler Wirth – 24:34.3
18. Julius Hild – 25:05.8
26. Matt Hoak – 25:25.9
29. Christian Stevens – 25:34.3
44. Ryan Pehlman – 26:21.1
49. Jonathan Harley – 26:49.3
*Personal Record
Your AAC Championship Runner-up ‼️ Amazing effort by our women's team in earning their highest conference championship team finish in UC history with 2nd place! pic.twitter.com/deetLWZu6V
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) October 29, 2021
The top place earned by an individual Bearcat was from Alec Sandusky, placing 3rd in the Men's Championship 8k with a time of 23:57.8. This earned him recognition as an All-Conference Performer. Tyler Wirth also finished as an All-Conference Performer in 8th with a time of 24:34.3.
UC Men's AAC All-Conference Performers❗️
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) October 29, 2021
🥉Alec Sandusky - 3rd Place - 23:57.8
Tyler Wirth - 8th Place - 24:34.3 pic.twitter.com/5EeoZoLp2P
The women's second place team finish in the Championship 6k came with 3 All-Conference Performers and a top 5 finish. Maddie Walker finished in 5th with a time of 21:30.7, leading the Bearcats' women's team. Following her was Ellie Leather in 22:02.2 and Carmela Henning in 22:02.5.
The Bearcats ladies have 3 AAC All-Conference Performers❗️
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) October 29, 2021
Maddie Walker - 5th Place - 21:30.6
Ellie Leather - 10th Place - 22:02.2
Carmela Henning - 12th Place - 22:02.5 pic.twitter.com/Ml32PpZlLC
Lara Rogers, head women's coach, said she "Couldn't be more proud of how the ladies ran today. To secure our highest finish in the AAC was a goal we've been working for all year. We knew it'd be a close battle from 2-4 and that's exactly what happened. It took a true team effort today and every single one of the ladies played a crucial role in our team result. As with any race we had highlights and things that didn't go our way. But today the highlights outweighed the things that didn't go our way. Individually it's always nice to have 3 all conference honorees. Maddie Walker stepped up huge for us getting 5th. To be our 3rd woman ever to finish Top 5 in this conference is a big feat. Ellie got her 3rd all conference in 3 years. It wasn't her day, but she was a major team player and worked hard to secure 10th overall for the team. Then Carmela Henning - what a race. She ran so patiently to work her way through the field all the way up to 12th. After finishing 18th last year this was a really nice one for her. I could speak on every single lady. But this would be 5 mins long. I'll sum it up-I'm really proud! The ladies deserve this! We're beyond excited to head to regionals and make another mark in history."
Men's coach Lucan Rothenberger was "Obviously, a little disappointed with today's result. I think what you want as a coach and a team is to leave a meet feeling like you gave an honest representation of who you are as a team. We weren't able to do that today. We had some really really nice bright spots individually throughout our team which shouldn't be overlooked, so that was great to see. I think it shows the growth of the program that we are now leaving a conference meet with a 3rd place finish scoring less than 80 points and we feel like there's a lot more in the tank. Every athlete on our team has had a good race in the past month, we are just trying to connect the dots and get things to line up on the same day. We will be ready in two weeks at Evansville."
// MEN'S RACE
The men's race was a battle between Cincinnati, Tulsa, and Wichita State right from the start. Sandusky ran with the lead pack for the entire race, pulling away with the top 5 toward the end and earning a clear third place. Tyler Wirth also led a second group for much of the race and held his ground for his 8th place finish.
Many of the UC men's team were able to step up and run great races, steadily moving up in the race. Julius Hild, a freshman on the team, was able to finish 18th in his first AAC race. Matt Hoak and Christian Stevens were the final 2 scoring places for the Bearcats, running together much of the race. Hoak was able to pass some runners in the final stretch, earning a better score for the team.
// WOMEN'S RACE
The UC women's team as a whole ran one of their best races this season. Each runner pushed themselves to stay in front or make up places throughout the race to earn the team second place.
Both Walker and Leather had moments where they were leading the entire race and were able to stay with the lead pack to earn their All-Conference Performer awards. Henning also ran a great race, steadily making her way to the front for 12th place. Sam Mikula and Jodie Pierce rounded out the scoring places for the Bearcats, ultimately placing high enough to keep the Bearcats in second.
// 2021 AAC CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 • Holloway Park • Lakeland, 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
Results from the Women's Championship 6k - 2nd place as a team and a 5th place finish from Maddie Walker! pic.twitter.com/YNwW40jczW
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) October 29, 2021
Results of the Men's Championship 8k: Bearcats take 3rd as a team with a 3rd place individual finish from Alec Sandusky! #GoBearcats pic.twitter.com/9Oy8NefFFS
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) October 29, 2021
Women's Championship 6k Race Results
5. Maddie Walker – 21:30.7*
10. Ellie Leather – 22:02.2
12. Carmela Henning – 22:02.5
28. Sam Mikula – 22:34.5
37. Jodie Pierce – 22:56.7
38. Lauren Kemper – 22:56.7
39. Maggie Breitenstein – 22:58.4
84. Jen Cooper – 25:17.6
Men's Garnet 8k Race Results
3. Alec Sandusky – 23:57.8
8. Tyler Wirth – 24:34.3
18. Julius Hild – 25:05.8
26. Matt Hoak – 25:25.9
29. Christian Stevens – 25:34.3
44. Ryan Pehlman – 26:21.1
49. Jonathan Harley – 26:49.3
*Personal Record