After both Ohio cross country teams swept the Ohio Invitational for the second straight year, the Bobcats are proving there is no place like home.
The men dominated their race in a dual meet against Robert Morris, while the women held off Cleveland State and Robert Morris to claim first place.
In the men’s race, the first 13 runners to cross the finish line were all Bobcats. Leading the way for Ohio were Noah Howkins (25:53.93), Chase Robinson (25:58.95) and Tyler Ames (26:09.64)as the team recorded the lowest possible score of 15 points in the win.
“Since this year we haven't had any clear standouts on the team, pack running will be very important for us during the second half of the season,” Ames said. “This meet helps us to learn to work together and race as a group instead of as individuals.”
In the women’s race, competition was much tougher, but Ohio finished in first place with 27 points, followed by Robert Morris with 41 and Cleveland State with 64.
Robert Morris runners Michelle Schiewe and Marissa Polk were neck-and-neck the entire race with Ohio runners Allison Stillwell and Melissa Thompson in a group of their own that lead the race.
The two Ohio runners led after the first three-kilometer lap but the Robert Morris runners did not give up.
Down the home stretch of the final lap, Stillwell and Schiewe separated from the quartet of runners and Schiewe was able to finish in first.
The top four women were Schiewe (22:37.35), Stillwell (22:41.96), Polk (22:47.79) and Thompson (22:48.00), respectively.
“It was really important for us to try and stay together and run as a pack,” Thompson said. “We are so young and in order for us to do well, we have to be close to one another. If we continue staying close I know we will show well in our conference.”
After the race, Ohio coach Clay Calkins said he was pleased with his team’s performance.
“It was a good race even though we used some different strategies,” Calkins said.
Heading into the race, Calkins decided not to start three of the top women’s runners to rest them for upcoming meets. Every other runner on both the Ohio men’s and women’s rosters competed in the invitational.
“We had great attendance with family coming for the home event and hopefully we can continue to have fans follow us in upcoming meets,” Calkins said.
Calkins also said that in upcoming years he would like to try and spark interest in more teams to turn the Ohio Invitational into a much bigger meet instead of continuing to compete in dual and tri-meets for the only home meet.
Quick Stats…
Date: September 24
Location: Ohio University Golf Course
Result: Women – 1st (27 points)
Men – 1st (15 points)
-Ohio men finished in top 13 spots
-Second straight year Ohio swept the home invitational
cl027410@ohiou.edu
