The Bearcats opened the 2022 XC season at the Mike Baumer XC Classic at Wright State. Coming into the meet everyone was biting at the bit to get this season started off with a 5k race. The Men’s team was led by an outstanding effort from Freshmen Logan Feeney (16:17), Bradley McManus (17:36.3), and Robert Fechtel (17:59). They lead the charge for the men pushing hard in the humid 85-degree weather to led to a 13th place finish for the men. The Women’s team was despite being short on competitors put in solid effort with Peach Widenhouse (21:07.4) and Jenna Barns (24:43.5) bringing it home for the Lady Bearcats.
Up next for was the Bearcats opening 8k/6k race at Miami hosted by the University of Miami Running Club, the Miami Striders. The Striders Invitational as it is known is an important qualifier race for NIRCA regionals and nationals. Coming out strong for his first 8k race, Logan Feeney (29:21.8) placed 2nd overall in an impressive effort. With good races from Bradley McManus (31:03.8), Jay Wilson (31:59.8) and Ben Shafron (32:39.6) the Men’s team where able to secure 2nd place overall behind the Miami Striders. On the Lady’s side of things, Peach (26:19.3) griddyed(?) across the finish line and touched the man on the bicycle to take not only first place in the women’s 6k but also $10 and a free shirt. Rebecca Mohr (27:31.8), Marie Musser (27:27.9), and Elle Seeger (27:45.2) all placed within the top five allowing the Lady Bearcats to place 1st overall. All runners that placed within the top 5 were rewarded with a small wooden Ohio and a carrot. A small disclaimer is Miami had an oops with the 8k course and multiple runners measured the course via GPS watch as closer to 8.5km.
Most Recently the Bearcats raced the All-Ohio Night meet at Cedarville University. While not officially competing for club, Kaden Mendenhall (26:46.7) and Joss Rossman (28:06.4) came out for a nice evening stroll. Leading the official squad was two people that didn’t actually race so I don’t know who ran for them, and then Bradley McManus (28:03.1), Jay Wilson (28:53.9), and Robert Fechtel (29:30.4) led the charge for the men’s team in an extremely stacked field of competition. Carissa Widenhouse (20:43.1), Freshman Elle Seeger (21:14.1), and Team Mom Marie Musser (22:14.2) lead the women to a successful evening 5k.
Up Next for the Bearcats is Live is Lou at the University of Louisville where the 10 best runners from the Men’s and Women’s team will go down to compete in one of the most highly anticipated meets of the year (Because we get to see Nicky).