The 2017 cross country season officially got underway Friday night as six members of the University of Cincinnati men’s program toed the line at the Butler Opener in Carmel, Ind., to finish third as a team. Freshmen Matt Stump and Ryan Guenthner led the way for the Bearcats as they placed 15th and 17th, respectively, in their collegiate debuts.
The men’s 6,000m race featured 67 finishers from five teams. The host Bulldogs won the team title with 16 points while IUPUI was runners-up with 52 points. The Bearcats (89), Wabash (97) and Indianapolis (112) rounded out the teams in the competition.
Stump was the first UC runner across the line as he covered the course in 19:07.1 while fellow rookie Guenthner was close behind in 19:18.9. Just on his heels was Steven Zombory, who placed 18th in 19:20.8 in his first race since joining the Bearcats after two years running with the UC Running Club. Senior Branden Nosker, a transfer from Mississippi State, was the fourth runner for UC, placing 30th in 19:51.6. A pair of returning runners rounded out the team as Frank Pierce (20:26.2) and Jake Barnes (20:37.3) finished 47th and 50th, respectively.
// NEXT UP
The Bearcats will be back in action Saturday morning as the men and women will both compete in the 36th Queen City Invitational at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester, Ohio. The meet will feature a pair of 5,000m races with the men starting things off at 9 a.m. and the women running at 9:30 a.m. The meet, along with parking, is free for all spectators.
2017 Butler Opener
Northview Church • Carmel, Ind.
Men’s 6,000m
Team Standings:
- Butler – 16
- IUPUI – 52
- CINCINNATI – 89
- Wabash – 97
- Indianapolis – 112
Individual Results (of 67 Finishers):
- Matt Stump – 19:07.1
- Ryan Guenthner – 19:18.9
- Steven Zombory – 19:20.8
- Branden Nosker – 19:51.6
- Frank Pierce – 20:26.2
- Jake Barnes – 20:37.3
