Grand Rapids Reporter

The Ferris State University men's and women's cross country teams will host the 49th annual Ray Helsing Bulldog Invitational this Saturday, Sept. 7, at FSU's Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids.

The women's collegiate 5,000-meter race is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. (ET), followed by the men's collegiate 8,000-meter event at approximately 10 a.m. (ET). Two high school races are also part of the invitational schedule: the prep boys' 5,000 meters will start at 10:45 a.m. (ET), followed by the girls' 5,000 meters at 11:15 a.m. (ET). The event is open to the public with free admission.

In addition to Ferris State, several conference and regional teams traditionally participate in the collegiate races alongside unattached competitors. Several local high school teams will compete in the prep races.

The Ray Helsing Bulldog Invitational was renamed in honor of former coach Ray Helsing in 2010. Helsing guided the Bulldog cross country and track and field programs from 1968-82 and was inducted into the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. He produced more All-Americans than any coach in FSU history, helping produce 20 All-Americans from 1968-82. He founded and coached Ferris cross country, leading his teams to a 77-17 dual meet mark and four Great Lakes Conference titles.

This year marks the 49th overall running of the Bulldog Invitational; either a men's or women's collegiate event has been held each year since its inception in 1976 except for its cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19. The first men's race occurred in 1971 before being discontinued and restarted in 1976. Ferris did not participate in men's cross country from 1994-98. The women's invitational has been held every year since its program began in1980 except for fall of2020; it returnedin2021,making this year’s race the44th women’s race ina45-year span.

Katke Golf Course openedin1974andhas hosted numerous events includingthe2003 GLIAC Men’sand Women’s Cross Country Championships,the2005 NCAA-II Great Lakes Regional Championships,andthe2006 Michigan Intercollegiate Championships.The Bulldogs also hostedthe2008and2011 NCAA-II Midwest Regional Championships alongwiththe2016 GLIAC Championships.Katke Golf Course,a university-owned18-hole golf course,situatedonthe western flankoftheFerrisState campus,is named afterMr.andMrs.MarvinL.Katke whose generous donation influenced campus developmentandtheinitial phaseofthegolf course.Mr.Katke,a friendofFerrisanda Mecosta Countynative,wasthevice presidentfor manufacturingoftheFord Motor Company anda1967 recipientofan honorary degreefromFSU.

The Ferris State men’sand women’s cross country teamsare guidedbyformerBulldog standoutandlocal native Jared Kelsh who begins his10th campaign attheBulldog helm.Saturday's meetwill representthefirst competitionoftheseasonforbothFSUteamsandgive bothteamsan opportunitytorunon their home coursethisfall.AlongwithSaturday'srace,FerrisStatewillalsohostthe2024GLIACChampionshipsatKatkeGolfCoursecominguponOct26.