TicketsPEORIA, Ill.— The University of Cincinnati men's and women's cross country teams placed three runners inside the top 15, battling tough conditions in its regular-season finale on Friday at the Bradley Pink Classic.
The men's team led by graduate student Tyler Wirth, placed fourth overall out of 28 teams, scoring 165 points.
The dynamic duo of graduate student Maddie Walker (12th) and sophomore Claire Curtsinger (15th) both placed inside the top 15, leading the women's team to a sixth-place finish out of 32 teams, scoring 271 points.
Wirth dominated the men's red race 8K, posting a time of 24:19.5 to finish fourth out of 226 runners. This marks the second time this season he has placed inside the top five in a race as he won the men's 6k at the RedHawk Rumble earlier to begin the season.
Cincinnati ran well on the Newman Golf Course as all five scorers placed inside the top-50.
The next Bearcat to cross the finish line was freshman Thomas Ashby as he placed 32nd overall with a time of 24:55.2. Ashby has now been the team's second scorer in back-to-back meets, as he achieved the feat at the Roy Griak Invitational.
"We took a step in the right direction today, men's head coach Lucas Rothenberger said. Conditions were difficult, and I thought the majority of the group handled it well. We have some things to clean up in regards to how we execute mid race, but the effort and intangibles were there today. Those were non existent during Griak for most of the group. So we are headed back to Cincinnati proud of our effort and progress, but ready to clean up our mistakes."
Right behind Ashby was graduate student Matt Hoak, who posted a time 24:58.3 to finish 35th overall.
The sophomore combo of Bobby Ganser (47th) and Seth Elking (49th) rounded out the rest of the men's scorers, crossing the finish line at the same time, 25:07.5.
On the women's side, Walker and Curtsinger finished as the first Bearcats to cross the finish line in their third straight meet. Walker completed the women's red 6k race in 21:17.7, placing 12th out of 249 runners.
The Batavia, Ohio native finished as UC's top runner for the second straight meet.
Having a breakout season, Curtsinger was right with Walker throughout the entire race as she placed 15th overall with a time of personal best 6k time of 21:24.8.
"The ladies have been stringing together solid training weeks, and today we got to test how much we have grown from the start of the season," women's cross country coach Sarah Anderson said. "Despite the rain and mud, the women packed up together and ran smart. We walked away with several personal best which is a big confidence boost leading into conference. We also improved our team place by three spots from last year, which is showing the growth we are making as a program, especially with such a young team."
Following the pack, fellow sophomore Gwen Stare was the next Bearcat to appear at the finish line as she placed 57th with a time of 22:10.3.
Next was freshman Amber Carter who posted a time of 22:32.3 (85th) and rounding of the women's scorers was freshman Jocelyn Willis as she finished with a time of 22:49.8.
// UP NEXT
the Bearcats will head to Ames, Iowa for the 2023 Big 12 Cross Country Championships. Cincinnati is in its inaugural season in the conference and will be making its first Big 12 Championship appearance.
The Championship will be hosted by Iowa State and will take place on Saturday, October 28. The men's 8k will start at 10 a.m. CT and the women's 6k begins at 11 a.m. CT. Both races will be streamed on ESPN+ / Big 12 Now.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Track and Field/Cross Country, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. and follow @GoBearcatsTFXC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The men's team led by graduate student Tyler Wirth, placed fourth overall out of 28 teams, scoring 165 points.
The dynamic duo of graduate student Maddie Walker (12th) and sophomore Claire Curtsinger (15th) both placed inside the top 15, leading the women's team to a sixth-place finish out of 32 teams, scoring 271 points.
Wirth dominated the men's red race 8K, posting a time of 24:19.5 to finish fourth out of 226 runners. This marks the second time this season he has placed inside the top five in a race as he won the men's 6k at the RedHawk Rumble earlier to begin the season.
Cincinnati ran well on the Newman Golf Course as all five scorers placed inside the top-50.
The next Bearcat to cross the finish line was freshman Thomas Ashby as he placed 32nd overall with a time of 24:55.2. Ashby has now been the team's second scorer in back-to-back meets, as he achieved the feat at the Roy Griak Invitational.
"We took a step in the right direction today, men's head coach Lucas Rothenberger said. Conditions were difficult, and I thought the majority of the group handled it well. We have some things to clean up in regards to how we execute mid race, but the effort and intangibles were there today. Those were non existent during Griak for most of the group. So we are headed back to Cincinnati proud of our effort and progress, but ready to clean up our mistakes."
Right behind Ashby was graduate student Matt Hoak, who posted a time 24:58.3 to finish 35th overall.
The sophomore combo of Bobby Ganser (47th) and Seth Elking (49th) rounded out the rest of the men's scorers, crossing the finish line at the same time, 25:07.5.
On the women's side, Walker and Curtsinger finished as the first Bearcats to cross the finish line in their third straight meet. Walker completed the women's red 6k race in 21:17.7, placing 12th out of 249 runners.
The Batavia, Ohio native finished as UC's top runner for the second straight meet.
Having a breakout season, Curtsinger was right with Walker throughout the entire race as she placed 15th overall with a time of personal best 6k time of 21:24.8.
"The ladies have been stringing together solid training weeks, and today we got to test how much we have grown from the start of the season," women's cross country coach Sarah Anderson said. "Despite the rain and mud, the women packed up together and ran smart. We walked away with several personal best which is a big confidence boost leading into conference. We also improved our team place by three spots from last year, which is showing the growth we are making as a program, especially with such a young team."
Following the pack, fellow sophomore Gwen Stare was the next Bearcat to appear at the finish line as she placed 57th with a time of 22:10.3.
Next was freshman Amber Carter who posted a time of 22:32.3 (85th) and rounding of the women's scorers was freshman Jocelyn Willis as she finished with a time of 22:49.8.
// UP NEXT
the Bearcats will head to Ames, Iowa for the 2023 Big 12 Cross Country Championships. Cincinnati is in its inaugural season in the conference and will be making its first Big 12 Championship appearance.
The Championship will be hosted by Iowa State and will take place on Saturday, October 28. The men's 8k will start at 10 a.m. CT and the women's 6k begins at 11 a.m. CT. Both races will be streamed on ESPN+ / Big 12 Now.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Track and Field/Cross Country, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. and follow @GoBearcatsTFXC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.