The BGSU women’s cross country team kicked off its 2025 slate in the Michigan Open on Friday, Aug. 28. 

The unscored affair saw the Falcons collectively scoring higher than any program other than the hosting Wolverines across a field of five different programs. 

Junior Rachael Withrow put on her strongest team placement of her career, leading the Falcons in the 5K race with a 17:44.6. This showing was good enough for 3rd place overall. 

Sophomores Rachael Hoover and Reese Reaman picked up where they left off from their freshman campaigns, finishing 11th and 18th, respectively, with times of 18:04.4 and 18:22.4. 

Senior Regina Rose and sophomore Lexi Panning rounded out the top five for the Falcons, placing 22nd and 23rd. 

Outside of scoring position, senior Emma Hellwege finished in 33rd place, and junior Nora Ritting came in 37th.  

Sophomore Amelia Barilla and junior Clare Valenza also raced despite being outside of the Orange and Brown’s top seven, bringing the total number of finishers for the Falcons to nine. 

The team returns to action Friday, Sept. 12, on their home course in the Mel Brodt Collegiate Open, with races starting at 5:30 p.m. 

FULL 5K RESULTS: (50 runners) 

Rachael Withrow – 3rd – 17:44.6 

Rachael Hoover – 11th – 18:04.4 

Reese Reaman – 18th – 18:22.4 

Regina Rose – 22nd – 18:27.5 

Lexi Panning – 23rd – 18:28.0 

Emma Hellwege – 33rd – 19:11.8 

Nora Ritting – 37th – 19:46.5 

Amelia Barilla – 39th – 20:00.9