Like last year, BG’s men’s cross country team placed fourth among Division I teams at the Mel Brodt Invitational. But this year, the runners improved their times significantly, indicating the difference a year makes for a young team.
Dayton won the team title, as 11 of its 15 runners finished in the top 25.
BG, one of four D-1 teams to compete Saturday, placed eighth overall out of 12 teams.
BG junior Chris Moody finished sixth with a time of 25:11, a personal record and a three-minute improvement from last year at the Brodt Invite.
Freshman Jason Salyer finished 12th (25:46) in his first collegiate 8K race. Jesse Smuda finished 22nd, recording a personal record of 26:49, over a minute-and-a-half improvement from last year. Ben Leininger recorded a personal record of 27:21, finishing 25th.
Abraham Busienei (27:33), Johnstone Kirui (27:34), Peter Miles (27:47), Jeff Ehler (27:59), John Bernard (28:36), and Erik Kuehner (31:00) also competed for the Falcons. Miles’ time was a personal record.
‘We still need to work on closing gaps between runners ahead, but I’m pleased because we showed tremendous improvement from last year at this meet,’ said coach Cami Wells. ‘Overall I’m not disappointed. I liked how we showed more heart today.’
BG will compete in the Bronz at the Iona Meet of Champions Saturday.’