The Youngstown State men's and women's cross-country programs competed against powerful talent Friday morning in their national races at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Cross Country Invitational.
The women competed first in the 5K Blue Race. YSU was led by McKinley Fielding, who placed 36th out of 180 runners with a time of 16:59.3, 36 seconds faster than her 5K winning time last weekend at the YSU Invitational XC Meet, and the second-fastest 5K time in program history. Caleigh Richards was the next Penguin to finish in 68th place, clocking a time of 17:18.7, followed closely by Jenna Razavi, who placed 78th with a time of 17:22.9. Lillian Katsaras placed 145th, clocking a time of 18:17.4, while Maggie Hopple finished right behind her in 148th with a time of 18:19.6. Her sister Molly finished 165th (18:37.6), Megan Stafford placed 168th (18:40.1), Kenzy Beckett finished 170th (18:45.6), and Carly Hall rounded out the Penguins with a time of 19:09.0, finishing 177th.
The Penguins women finished 17th as a team, totaling 415 points. Notre Dame placed 1st with 29 points.
The men were up next in the 8K Blue Race. YSU was led by a blistering pace from Patrick Burgos, who clocked a time of 23:38.9, the third-fastest 8K time in program history, finishing 29th out of 150 runners. Owen Brady secured a 41st-place finish with a time of 23:49.3, while Blaze Fichter (71st – 24:14.4), Connor Shingleton (93rd – 24:28.6), and Josh Jones (95th – 24:29.8) also secured top-100 placements. Ethan Cope was the next Penguin to cross the finish line as he placed 103rd with a time of 24:34.8, while Brock Farris finished 115th with a time of 24:51.2, Beau Gorby finished in 123rd place with a time of 25:01.0, and Sage Vavro rounded out the YSU men with a 130th-place finish, clocking a time of 25:16.5.
The Penguins men finished 13th overall with 316 overall points. Notre Dame finished first, amassing 40 points.
The Penguins will wrap up regular-season action in two weeks at the Pre-National Invitational, hosted by the University of Missouri. The Penguins will race at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, MO.
For live updates and results throughout the 2025 season, follow @YSUTrackFieldXC on X.
