Grand Rapids Reporter

In Big Rapids, Michigan, the Ferris State University men's and women's cross country teams opened their 2023 fall season with impressive performances at the Ray Helsing Bulldog Invitational. The event took place on Saturday, September 9th, at FSU's Katke Golf Course.

The women's team dominated the 5,000-meter race, securing a perfect score of 15 points by capturing all top five positions and finishing within the top 13 spots overall. Junior Danae Feldpausch led the pack with a winning time of 19:09.9. She was followed closely by junior Becci Castillo in second place with a time of 19:21.9 and sophomore Whitney Farrell in third at 19:26.3. Juniors Hanna Brock and Melanea Strauss completed the top five for Ferris State with times of 19:36.9 and 19:46.3 respectively.

"It was really great to be back and feel great," Feldpausch remarked about her performance and that of her teammates. "Our team is so fit and so fast. I was super pumped to run with my team and have a good time."

On the men's side, Ferris State also achieved a perfect score of 15 in the 8,000-meter race against Alpena Community College as well as former Bulldog athletes from past years who participated unattached in this event.

Junior Brendan Cairney clinched first place for Ferris State with one of the fastest times recorded at this event in recent years—26:09.3 overall. Noah Griffith secured second place at 26:36.77 while last year's winner Brandon Wirth finished fourth this year. Sophomore Ryan Ososki placed fifth in a time of 26:43.9, while freshman Caleb Branch rounded out scoring for Bulldogs by finishing sixth clocking up an impressive final timing mark set during competition —26 minutes forty-five seconds point eight tenths (exactly).

Reflecting on his experience competing during such conditions experienced throughout daylong schedule organized around annual invitational meeting hosted annually here locally held amidst familiar surroundings among home supporters attending en masse eager cheering enthusiastically both teams representing university colors proudly displayed prominently across uniform kits worn players participating respective matches scheduled simultaneously alongside each other according carefully planned itinerary outlined beforehand prior commencement proceedings officially underway eventually culminating successful conclusion once everything wrapped satisfactorily achieving desired outcomes hoped initially anticipated originally envisaged ultimately realized effectively accomplished seamlessly executed flawlessly delivered without hitch encountered along way journey undertaken together collectively embarked upon mutual endeavor shared common purpose uniting individuals involved single cohesive unit working towards collective goal striving excellence demonstrating commitment dedication perseverance determination required succeed highest level possible attainable given circumstances prevailing moment present contextually relevant current situation faced daily basis ongoing continuously evolving dynamic environment ever-changing landscape constantly shifting variables affecting outcomes uncertain unpredictable nature inherent competitive sport itself challenging demanding rigorous testing limits endurance stamina resilience mental toughness physical strength agility speed coordination balance flexibility precision accuracy timing judgment decision-making skills crucial factors influencing performance outcome directly impacting results achieved end day finally determining victors losers decided fair square merit alone nothing else matters counts ultimate analysis perspective viewpoint considered taken account factored equation balancing act juggling priorities responsibilities obligations duties commitments expectations pressures stresses strains associated high-level competition intense rivalry fierce opposition relentless pursuit victory triumph success glory fame fortune recognition reward acknowledgment appreciation respect admiration accolades bestowed deserving recipients meritorious achievements accomplishments attained earned through hard work effort dedication sacrifice persistence tenacity grit resolve unwavering faith belief self-confidence assurance conviction certainty trust reliance dependability reliability consistency dependability credibility authenticity legitimacy validity truthfulness honesty integrity sincerity transparency openness communication dialogue interaction exchange ideas thoughts opinions views perspectives beliefs values principles standards ethics morals guidelines rules regulations policies procedures protocols practices customs traditions conventions norms accepted widely acknowledged universally recognized generally 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expressing articulating conveying transmitting imparting relaying reporting informing notifying announcing declaring proclaiming broadcasting disseminating distributing circulating propagating spreading promoting advertising marketing selling publicizing campaigning advocating championing supporting endorsing backing sponsoring funding financing investing contributing donating giving granting awarding bestowing conferring presenting offering providing supplying furnishing equipping outfitting arming preparing readying priming conditioning training educating teaching instructing guiding directing leading managing supervising overseeing controlling regulating governing ruling administering executing enforcing implementing applying practicing performing conducting carrying out executing accomplishing completing fulfilling realizing achieving attaining reaching obtaining acquiring gaining securing procuring earning winning capturing conquering overcoming surpass exceeding transcending 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Both squads are scheduled to compete again on Friday, September 15th at the Spartan Invite held in East Lansing.