HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – The Ohio men's and women's cross country teams dominated the competition at the Thundering Herd Invitational on Friday, August 29. The men and women both took home first place finishes, recording 24 and 15 points respectively.
 
In addition to winning the meet, the top finisher in both the men's and women's 5k races were from Ohio. Junior Charlie Slates (Gahanna, Ohio) won the men's race with a personal-best time of 15:01.46. On the women's side, senior Leila Boussedra (Worthington, Ohio) was victorious with a first-place time of 17:32.88.
 
Four other Bobcats placed in the top 10 of the men's 5k race. Junior Andrew Bracken (Westerville, Ohio) placed second with a personal-best time of 15:07.90. Junior Nick Kennedy (Hurricane, W. Va.) followed behind Bracken in third place, running a PR of 15:14.84. Junior Marcus Runkle also placed in the top 10, finishing ninth with a personal-best time of 15:31.03.
 
Ohio also had six athletes place in the top 10 of the women's 5k race. Graduate student Kelsi Harris (Liberty Township, Ohio) was the second Bobcat to cross the finish line with a time of 17:37.76. Senior Alyssa Mason (Dublin, Ohio) placed third (17:41.70), senior Allie Martin (Kingwood, W. Va.) placed fourth (17:47.94) and sophomore Kaitlyn Stewart (Floyd Knobs, Ind.) placed fifth (17:48.79). Sophomore Reece Savage (Johnstown, Ohio) and junior Eliza Streit (Plain City, Ohio) placed seventh and eighth, respectively. Savage ran a PR of 17:56.60 and Streit ran a PR of 18:01.94.
 
The Bobcats will be back in action at the George Dales Invitational on Friday, Sept. 19.
 
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