CROSS COUNTRY

The Huntington University cross country teams continued their season Friday afternoon at the Ray Bullock Invitational hosted by Taylor University, highlighted by another outstanding performance from Abbey Gentz. The Forester standout covered the 6K course in 22:12.7, finishing third overall and as the top collegiate runner in the field. 

Competing against a field that included several Crossroads League opponents and regional competitors, Gentz crossed the finish line behind only two unattached runners who were not representing collegiate programs. Her performance marked the highest finish among all collegiate athletes in the race and continued an impressive start to the season for the senior from Woodburn, Indiana. 

As a team, Huntington scored 245 points to finish eighth in the 14-team field. The Foresters placed ahead of Olivet Nazarene, Mount Vernon Nazarene, Madonna, Alma, Michigan Running Club and IU Columbus while competing against several nationally recognized programs. 

Ethne Kropp provided Huntington’s second scoring performance with a 39th-place finish in 23:59.5, giving the Foresters a pair of runners inside the top 40. Leah Price added a strong effort with a 60th-place finish in 24:29.6. 

Rachel Byler completed the course in 27:27.9 to finish 125th overall, while Kayla Bloomer rounded out Huntington’s scoring five in 146th place with a time of 30:39.5. 

Lydia Price crossed the finish line in 31:08.4, Josie Goble recorded a time of 36:44.6 and Lily Hegenberger finished in 36:51.7 to round out the Forester lineup. 

Huntington Women’s Results- 6K 

• 3rd – Abbey Gentz – 22:12.7 

• 39th – Ethne Kropp – 23:59.5 

• 60th – Leah Price – 24:29.6 

• 125th – Rachel Byler – 27:27.9 

• 146th – Kayla Bloomer – 30:39.5 

• 149th – Lydia Price – 31:08.4 

• 166th – Josie Goble – 36:44.6 

• 167th – Lily Hegenberger – 36:51.7 

Huntington Men’s Finishers- 8K 

• 215th-  Jayden Cornett | 32.11.5 

• 227th-  Isaac Thurber | 35:57.5 
• 229th- Gabriel King | 38:08.0