University of Toledo
Mel Brodt Collegiate Opener
Toledo Cross Country Teams Sweep Season Opener
9/1/2012 2:59:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
BOWLING GREEN, OH - The No. 23 Toledo women's cross country team took first place with 19 points at the Mel Brodt Collegiate Opener Friday night. Grueling 90-degree temperatures and a new course setup, which included two attacks at the steep hill as opposed to just one, couldn't slow down the Rockets as they claimed five of the top six spots at the finish line.
Sophomore Mackenzie Chojnacky crossed the line first with a solid time of 18:12.60, marking her first-career victory at the collegiate level.
Sophomores Liz Weiler (18:23.60), Brooke Tullis (18:24.70), Priscilla Timmons (18:38.50) and Megan Gaysunas (18:43.50) finished third through sixth place, respectively.
The only runner finishing in the top six who wasn't wearing a Toledo uniform was Eastern Michigan's Victoria Vronko. She held off Weiler and Tulllis for second place with a mark of 18:23.
"I'm really excited for how that sophomore class improved over the summer," Head Coach Kevin Hadsell said. "For them to be able to battle with a very talented runner like Vronko tells me we are in a great position at the moment."
The No. 23 Rockets chose to rest four of their top runners, including All-MAC performers Megan Vogelsong, Kaylin Belair, Megan Wright and Devyn Ramsay.
Men
The Toledo men's cross country team also displayed dominance in the Mel Brodt Collegiate Opener with 15 points and a clean sweep of Bowling Green and Madonna University.
Sophomore Jake Kasperski led the surge of Rockets across the line with a time of 15:58.60. The top finish also marked Kasperski's first-career win at the collegiate level.
Toledo ultimately claimed 10 of the top 12 spots, with the exception of Bowling Green's freshman Tim Jurick finishing ninth and an unattached runner taking fifth place.
The Rockets have not lost to the Falcons since 2006.
"I was very happy with the way both teams took it out hard and battled through the tough conditions."
Both teams will be back in action on Sept. 21 when they host the Second Annual Inter-Regional Bubble Buster at Ottawa Park in Toledo.
Players Mentioned
