Grand Rapids Reporter

Ferris State University hosted the 50th annual Ray Helsing Bulldog Invitational at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday. The event marked the first competition of the season for both the men's and women's cross country teams.

The Ferris State women's team dominated their race, securing seven of the top eight positions. Whitney Farrell led the field as individual champion with a time of 18:41.43 on the 5K course. Thirteen runners from Ferris State finished in the top 20 among women competitors.

On the men's side, Emmett Johnson was runner-up in the 8K event with a time of 26:09.53. Six male Bulldogs placed in the top ten, and ten were among the top twenty overall.

The invitational was renamed in 2010 to honor former coach Ray Helsing, who led Ferris State's cross country and track programs from 1968 to 1982. Helsing produced more All-Americans than any other coach in school history and was inducted into the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. He guided his teams to a combined dual meet record of 77-17 and four Great Lakes Conference titles during his tenure.

This year’s meet marked half a century since its inception, with either a men’s or women’s collegiate event held every year since 1976 except for a cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19 disruptions.

Both Ferris State teams will compete again on Friday, September 12, at two separate events: the Warrior Invite in New Boston and the Spartan Invite in Lansing.

Complete results from Saturday's races are available at https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/258638/info