Rockets Finish Second in Both Races at Indiana State

Saturday, September 17

Terre Haute, Ind./ LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course

9:00 AM

University of Toledo

John McNichols Invitational

The Rockets recorded a combined eight personal-best times at Indiana State’s John McNichols Invitational.

Rockets Finish Second in Both Races at Indiana State

9/17/2022 12:20:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

John McNichols_Team Results (M)John McNichols_Team Results (W)John McNichols_Individual Results (M)John McNichols_Individual Results (W)Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Toledo men's and women's cross country teams each finished second in their respective races at Indiana State's John McNichols Invitational on Saturday morning. Sophomore Dennis Mutai won his first race in a Rockets' uniform with a time of 24:17.7, and senior Faith Linga led the women's squad with a second-place finish in a time of 17:29.2.

Mathew Chesum came in just behind Mutai and placed fifth with a time of 24:36.1. The Rockets had five runners finish with personal best times including Jake Rethman (24:48.2), Geoff Howles (25:25.8), Ben Towler (25:44.9), Cooper Losey (26:08.0), and Xavier Gallo (28:13.3). Charles Kipchumba made his Rockets' debut, finishing with a time of 25:43.0.

"This was a very solid performance for our men's program," said head men's coach Nick Stenuf. "We had a lot of our guys open their season here today. This is a good indicator for where we are at. We are going to regroup and get back to work!"

The women's team had five runners finish in the top-10 and lead the Rockets in their second 5K of the season. The Rockets finished just three points behind the Illinois women's team, who is ranked No. 27 in the country. Sophomore Joy Chirchir finished two spots behind Linga in fourth place in her first race of the season. Also making their season debut with personal-best times were Madeline Vining (6th/17:39.6) and Emily Vining (7th/17:42.4). Julia Dames rounded out the top-10. McKinley Fielding also set a personal-best time of 18:11.5, while Marina Gross made her Rockets' debut with a time of 18:25.3.

Toledo will head out to Stillwater, Okla. for next week's meet at Oklahoma State's Cowboy Jamboree on Saturday, Sept. 24.

John McNichols Invitational
Terre Haute, Ind. | LaVern Gibson Championships Cross Country Course
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022

Men's 8K
1. Illinois – 53 pts.
2. Toledo – 64 pts.
3. Purdue – 74 pts.
4. Belmont – 114 pts.
5. Louisville – 137 pts.
6. Missouri – 173 pts.
7. Milwaukee – 219 pts.
8. Illinois-Chicago – 229 pts.
9. Indiana State – 230 pts.
10. Southern Illinois- 240 pts.
11. IUPUI – 241 pts.
12. PFW – 332 pts.
13. Indianapolis – 395 pts.
14. Wabash – 489 pts.
15. Rose-Hulman – 490 pts.
16. Vincennes – 494 pts.
17. Franklin – 507 pts.
18. Evansville – 554 pts.
19. Fontbonne – 622 pts.

Toledo Individual Men
1. Dennis Mutai – 24:17.7
5. Mathew Chesum – 24:36.1
11. Benjamin Otis – 24:45.7
13. Jake Rethman – 24:48.2 *PR
34. Geoff Howles – 25:25.8 *PR
46. Charles Kipchumba – 25:43.0
48. Ben Towler – 25:44.9 *PR
Joshua Taylor – 25:46.3
Cooper Losey – 26:08.0 *PR
Jonathon Hrivnak – 26.32.1
Gavin Lammers – 26:49.0
Xavier Gallo – 28:13.3 *PR

Women's 5K
1. Illinois – 26 pts.
2. Toledo – 29 pts.
3. Purdue – 102 pts.
4. Missouri – 117 pts.
5. Belmont – 146 pts.
6. Milwaukee – 219 pts.
7. Missouri State – 224 pts.
8. Louisville – 257 pts.
9. IUPUI – 263 pts.
10. Southern Illinois – 265 pts.
11. Illinois-Chicago – 275 pts.
12. PFW – 295 pts.
13. Indianapolis – 348 pts.
14. Franklin – 490 pts.
15. Vincennes – 499 pts.
16. Oakland City – 530 pts.
17. Evansville – 533 pts.
18. Rose-Hulman – 547 pts.

Toledo individual Women
2. Faith Linga – 17:29.2
4. Joy Chirchir – 17:32.6
6. Madeline Vining – 17:39.6 *PR
7. Emily Vining – 17:42.4 *PR
10. Julia Dames – 17:48.2
11. Lou Trois – 17:54.1
18. McKinley Fielding – 18:11.5 *PR
Marina Gross – 18:25.3
Margrett Watt – 18:37.5
Claire Steigerwald – 18:52.1
Paige Embaugh – 19:23.5