Canfield, Ohio - Record-setting performances highlighted the second installment of the YSU Invitational Cross Country Meets at the Gorby Family Championship Cross Country Course.
The Penguin women took the course first on a cloudy Saturday morning for their 5K race. Reigning Horizon League runner-up McKinley Fielding paced the field, finishing first individually with a time of 17:35.5, setting a new course record. Caleigh Richards and Jenna Razavi finished closely behind Fielding, as Richards finished fourth with a time of 18:13.9, and Razavi finished fifth, clocking a time of 18:15.4. Freshman Maggie Hopple had a very strong performance, as she rounded out the top 10 with a time of 19:04.6. Lillian Katsaras finished closely behind Hopple in 12th with a time of 19:12.9, while Molly Hopple (17th – 19:27.5), and Kenzy Beckett (18th – 19:33.3) also finished inside the top 20. Carly Hall placed 21st, clocking a time of 19:42.5, while Megan Stafford finished 34th with a time of 20:31.1, and Claire Von Boetticher placed 40th with a time of 20:56.8.
YSU's women finished second overall as a team with 32 points. Bucknell won with 26 points.
The Penguin men also set a blistering pace during their 8K race, as redshirt-freshman Patrick Burgos won the race with a new course-record time of 25:18.7, over 19 seconds quicker than second place. Blaze Fichter was the next Penguin to finish, placing fourth with a time of 25:46.8. Owen Brady finished closely behind Fichter in fifth with a time of 25:53.6. Ethan Cope placed seventh with a time of 26:02.6, while Connor Shingleton finished ninth (26:13.87), Sage Vavro finished 10th (26:17.3), and Brock Farris finished 11th (26:22.7). Beau Gorby rounded out the group of Penguins as he placed 16th, clocking a time of 26:32.6.
YSU's men finished first overall with a team score of 26, followed by Bucknell, which totaled 31 points for their second-place finish.
The Penguins will be back in action in less than a week when they make the trip to South Bend, Ind. for the Joe Piane Notre Dame Cross Country Invitational at Burke Golf Course.
For live updates and results throughout the 2025 season, follow @YSUTrackFieldXC on X.
