The University’s cross country programs had another successful weekend. With members represented in both Louisville, Kentucky and in Akron, Ohio many runners set their personal bests while others created new school records.
Members of the Women’s program were in Akron, Ohio at the All-Ohio Collegiate Cross Country Championships. Out of 38 scoring teams, the University finished eighth overall in the meet. Sarah Hunsley paced the way for the Falcons finishing eighth overall out of 307 total runners. Hunsley set a new personal best, beating her previous best of 23:44.9 with a time of 21:52.1. All six members were able to place in the top 125, with two setting personal bests, and three racing in their first collegiate 6k events.
Senior Rachel Walny was the lone Falcon runner in Louisville for the Women’s 5k race. Out of the 226 total runners in the race, Walny ran her way to a sixth place finish and breaking her own 5k school record in the process. Walny had recently broken the school record with a time 17:10.7 at the same race just two seasons ago. Walny shattered her record with a time 16:58.0 this weekend.
Along with Walny, in Louisville this weekend, the men’s team saw big success in the 8k race. The top three finishers for the Falcons were seniors Noah Schaub and Tyler Philips along with freshman Cesar Arellano. The three finished within the top 55 out of 252 runners. Schaub finished in 13th with a time of 24:06.4, Phillips finished in the 34th spot with a time 24:39.4, and Arellano rounding out the top three with a time of 25:01.4.
Phillips talked about the team’s success and their goal heading into Saturday.
“Saturday was a great day,” Phillips said. “Almost every guy set a lifetime personal record, and we had quite a few young guys step up when we needed it. Our goal was to go out and compete and set a standard for the rest of the season. We wanted to show that we are a talented team and I think we did that Saturday,” Phillips said.
This was the second 8k race of the season for the Falcons and Arellano talked about how this race will help for the upcoming postseason races.
“We ran a very highly competitive meet and gave every team and runner a run for their money and now we will be heading into the postseason with that same mentality,” Arellano said.
Schaub views himself the pace-setter for this Falcons squad and Schaub talked about his mindset going into the race and how it changes throughout the race.
“I think the guys and my coach expect me to finish toward the top,” Schaub said. “My mindset going into every race is to get into the mix with those top guys. Throughout the race my mindset changes depending on how my plan is going. My main goal is to do my job and help lead the team to a strong finish.”
The Falcon runners will have one more competition before postseason play. The Falcons will travel to the Bradley Pink Classic in Peoria, Illinois on Friday, Oct. 12.
