Wheeling University Cross Country Team Prepares for Bethany College Invitational
Wheeling, W. Va. — The Wheeling University Cross Country team is focusing on the development of its young runners as they embark on a challenging local schedule for the 2025 season. A significant event on their calendar is the upcoming Bethany College Invitational, scheduled for Friday at 10 AM, where the Cardinals will aim to build on their season debut success.
Season Opening Highlights
The Cardinals opened their 2025 campaign at the West Liberty Invitational, held at Bethany College. Both the men’s and women’s teams showcased a mix of new and seasoned talent, with four out of five runners making their debuts. Notably, three women participated in their first collegiate race, two of whom finished within the top 50 in a competitive field of 92. The women’s team ultimately placed ninth, with hopes of improving their standings throughout the season.
Women’s Team Performance
Leading the women was junior Madison Conrad, who made an impressive debut by securing 20th place with a time of 20:00.1, finishing just 0.1 seconds shy of breaking the 20-minute mark. Her performance also placed her 15th among her peers in the Mountain East Conference (MEC). Senior Gabby Baiano contributed by clinching 46th place with a time of 21:33.9, achieving a pace of 6:57 per mile. Together, these two veterans are poised to guide a budding team as they approach the MEC Cross Country Championships.
Men’s Team Performance
On the men’s side, graduate student Hunter Tomich led the way, finishing 41st with a time of 21:15.2. This marked a strong start for Tomich, who has been the team’s top runner for the previous two seasons and is determined to achieve All-MEC honors for the first time this year. Courtney Rider, a newcomer from the Wheeling Wrestling team, also made an impact by securing 50th place in his debut race, recording a time of 23:00.4. Rider aims to leverage his wrestling stamina to enhance his performance on the cross-country course.
Upcoming Races
The Cardinals’ journey continues with three regular-season races ahead, featuring a blend of local competitors and some of the best teams in the region. This weekend’s event signifies the second consecutive trip to Bethany for the team, as they transition from the West Liberty Invitational. The women will compete in their first 6K of the season, while the men will tackle an 8K course. This outing will serve as preparation for the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship, where they will once again face the same challenging terrain.
Event Details
The Bethany Bison Invitational will take place on the Bethany Cross Country Course located on the Bethany College campus. The schedule for the races is as follows:
- Women’s 6K race: 10 AM
- Men’s 8K race: 11 AM
This course features winding hills that will challenge the runners to navigate both inclines and declines effectively.
Stay Updated
Fans and supporters can stay informed about the results and updates from the races by visiting wucardinals.com.
