BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The University of Toledo women's cross country team took first place at the Mel Brodt Collegiate Open in Bowling Green, Ohio on Friday, while the Toledo men came in sixth in their race.

The Rocket women were powered by three runners who finished in the top six of the 6K race: sophomore Lianna Surtz (2nd place/20:57.06) in her first race, senior Madeline Vining (4^th/21:10.07) and junior Morgan Hicks (6^th/21:26.57). Sophomore Jaydon Cirincione (15^th/21:48.18) and senior Alex Bauer – (26^th/22:09.28) rounded out the scoring for the Rockets in their debut in a UT uniform. Toledo racked up 50 points, 10 ahead of second-pace Ohio.

The men, who rested most of their runners for the Loyola Invitational in two weeks, were led by senior Ben Towler, who came in 24^th with a time of 25:58.58. He was followed closely by junior Sean Smith, whose time of 26:06.16 was good for 28^th place. Akron won the men's race with 33 points.

Both squads will next compete at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 29. 

Mel Brodt Collegiate Open
Friday, Sept. 15
Bowling Green, Ohio

Men's Results
Team Standings – 8K
1. Akron - 33
2. Saginaw Valley State – 46
3. Ohio – 58
4. Eastern Michigan – 79
5. Bowling Green - 165
6. Toledo – 169
7. Central Michigan – 172
8. St. Clair College – 250

Top 5 Individuals - Men
1. Brian Masai, Akron – 24:22.65
2. Titus Kirui, Akron – 24:25.10
3. Timonthy Chesondin, Akron – 24:55.36
4. Michael Tonkovich, Ohio – 25:05.89
5. Dominic Suliman, Saginaw Valley – 25:09.07

Toledo Individual Results
24. Ben Towler – 25:58.58
28. Sean Smith – 26:06.16
44. Cooper Losey – 26:33.26
66. Aiden Lengel – 27:08.55
68. Gavin Lammers – 27:10.86
88. Xavier Gallo – 28:32.18

Women's Results
Team Standings – 6K
1. Toledo - 50
2. Ohio - 60
3. Eastern Michigan – 62
4. Central Michigan – 109
5. Bowling Green – 126
6. Western Michigan – 143
7. Ball State – 153
8. Saginaw Valley – 169
9. Northern Illinois - 273

Top 5 Individuals - Women
1. Emily Paupore, CMU – 20:49.61
2. Lianna Surtz, Toledo – 20:57.06
3. Esme Davies, EMU – 21:03.39
4. Madeline Vining, Toledo – 21:10.07
5. Alyssa Mason, Ohio – 21:13.19

Toledo Individual Results
2. Lianna Surtz - 20:57.06
4. Madeline Vining – 21:10.07
6. Morgan Hicks – 21:26.57 *PR
15. Jaydon Cirincione – 21:48.18 
26. Alex Bauer – 22:09.28 
39. Audrey Witham – 22:43.44 *PR
56. Julia Dames – 23:03.45
62. Ella Kurto – 23:21.40
74. Aubrey Duhaime – 23:54.35