Jared Kelsh Head Coach | Ferris State Bulldogs Website
Jared Kelsh Head Coach | Ferris State Bulldogs Website
Ferris State University's men's and women's cross country teams commenced their 2023 fall season with notable performances at the 48th annual Ray Helsing Bulldog Invitational. The event took place on September 9 at Ferris State's Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Michigan.
The women's team showcased a commanding display in the 5,000-meter race, achieving a perfect score of 15 points by claiming the top five finishing positions and securing spots within the top 13 overall. Junior Danae Feldpausch led the team with an individual title finish time of 19:09.9. Her teammates followed closely: junior Becci Castillo finished second with a time of 19:21.9, sophomore Whitney Farrell secured third place at 19:26.3, while juniors Hanna Brock and Melanea Strauss completed fourth and fifth places with times of 19:36.9 and 19:46.3 respectively.
"It was really great to be back and feel great," Feldpausch expressed. "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 mirrored their female counterparts by achieving another perfect score of 15 in the 8,000-meter competition against Alpena Community College as well as former Bulldog competitors from previous years who participated unattached.
Junior Brendan Cairney emerged victorious for Ferris State with one of the fastest recorded times at this event in recent years, completing it in 26:09.3 overall. Noah Griffith followed in second place clocking in at 26:36.77 while last year's champion Brandon Wirth placed fourth this time around. Sophomore Ryan Ososki took fifth place with a time of 26:43.9, while freshman Caleb Branch rounded out Ferris State's scoring by finishing sixth with a final time of 26:45.8.
"It was a great day outside," Cairney remarked about his experience during the invitational race."Bulldog (Invite) is all about running with your teammates and pushing each other; we broke the rust off our legs and we're ready to get the season going."
Both Ferris State cross country squads are set to compete again on Friday, September 15th at East Lansing’s Spartan Invite.
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