The Toledo cross country teams kick started their season with the Toledo Home Opener on Friday night at Pearson Metro Park in Oregon, OH. The UT women's team won the tri-meet over Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan while the men's team placed second behind the Eagles.

The women's team had five runners place in the top 10 and were led by senior Mackenzie Chojnacki's third place finish with a time of 17:55:9. Fellow senior Megan Wright rounded out the top five with a time of 17:57:50 while classmates Liz Weiler, Brooke Tullis and Megan Gaysunas placed sixth, eighth and ninth, respectively.

“I'm very happy with the results from the women,” UT head coach Linh Nguyen said. “My instructions before the race were for our top seven to run together and under control. They were specifically told not to chase other runners but to focus on themselves and running in a strong pack. They showed great teamwork and communication which is what I was hoping to see. We had a 3.6 second spread which is great for this time of year. In two weeks I'll let some of the top women loose to allow them to get after it some more.”

On the men's side, senior Adam Smercina paced the Rockets with a fifth place finish and time of 16:02:30. Fellow senior Hillary Serem was the only other Rocket to place in the top ten with a time of 16:17:00.

“I'm pleased with the way the men ran tonight,” Nguyen said. “Adam Smercina had a nice opener and so did Matt Leis. We were running without three of our top guys so that hurt the team score but it gave the younger guys a chance to step up. I'd like to see us close down the gaps a little in our spread but overall it was a solid start. We'll run our first 8k in two weeks, which should give us a good test.”

Both Toledo teams return to action on September 12th in Bowling Green, OH for the Mel Brodt Invitational. 

Men's Team Results 
1. Eastern Michigan 
2. Toledo
3. Bowling Green 

Women's Team Results 
1. Toledo
2. Eastern Michigan 
3. Bowling Green 

Men's Indivdual Results
5. Adam Smercina - 16:02.30
10. Hillary Serem - 16:17.00
11. Adam Bess - 16:18.60
12. Matt Leis - 16:19.30
15. Louis Guardiola - 16:27.40
17. Thomas Gibbonbs - 16:42.80
18. Jax Talbot - 16:49.80
23. Chris Housel 17:07.90
24:Clinton Caddell - 17:25.00

Women's Individual Results 3. Mackenzie Chojnacki - 17:55.90
5. Megan Wright - 17:57.50
6. Liz Weiler - 17:57.70
8. Brooke Tullis - 17:58.40
9: Megan Gaysuans - 17:59.50
10. Janelle Noe - 18:01.50
11. Priscilla Timmons - 18:01.90
15. Lindsey Burdette - 18:25.60
16. Megan Vogelsong - 18:26.50
19. Jackie Koza - 18:47.0
20. Theresa Warsecke - 18:48.0