The Falcons made their first of two trips in three weeks to Akron this weekend to participate in the Akron Invitational.

Head coach Lou Snelling used the Akron Invitational as a chance to get more athletes in especially redshirted freshman, who ran as unattatched athletes.

“We’ll have some redshirts out there to get some experience.” Snelling said. “Especially in the distance events since Abby isn’t running.”

Freshmen Maria Meredith, who placed third in the mile run, and Andrea Alt, who won the 3,000-meter run, were among those who ran unattatched.

Junior Jeanette Pettigrew finished second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.50 seconds, which was only 0.03 seconds behind the winner, Tennessee’s Kia Jackson.

The 4×400 meter team, which comprised of juniors Felicia Jefferson and Allison Weimer, sophomore Lisa Worthey and freshman Natalie Sommerville, placed seventh in the eight team race defeating Akron but falling to teams from the University of Tennessee, Central Michigan, Duquense, Marshall and Winthrop.

Other highlights from BG runners include a fifth place finish by sophomore Allorian Horne in the 200-meter dash, junior Allison Weimer place fourth in the 400-meter dash and junior Taylor Stichter finished the 5,000-meter race with a time of 19:34.37.

The Falcons earned a few top ten finishes in field events. Senior Ashley Harris finished third in the weight throw and eighth place in the shot put. Freshman Emily Gerken placed sixth in the long jump with a mark of 1.58 meters.

Though this meet was a prep meet for the Mid-American Conference indoor championship, Snelling was happy with the athletes’ performances.

“We continued to build momentum heading into the conference championships in two weeks.” Snelling said.