DAYTON, Ohio - On a warm night in the Gem City, the Ohio Dominican Panthers cross country team opened the 2023 season at the Mike Baumer Cross Country Classic on Friday (Sept. 1). The Panthers battled a number of other Ohio teams at the Fairborn Community Park. 

The women tallied a tenth place finish of 13 teams while the men finished 11th of 15 teams. 

MEN

Eayuel Gebrtsadik (Columbus, Ohio) set the men's 5K record with a best time of 15:56.4 as he was the best finisher for the Black and Gold in 63rd place. Three other Panthers joined the all-time top ten lists for 5K times. Ethan Sinning (Tipp City, Ohio) was ten seconds behind Gebrtsadik with a 16:06.9 time as he sits fourth all-time. Merrick Shorter (Dublin, Ohio) checked in at 16:08.0 as the fifth best mark. Jacob Krous (Galena, Ohio) ran the course in 16:17.5 with the eighth best mark in program history. Aidan Shannon (Columbus, Ohio) made his ODU debut with a 16:35.5 time, the fifth highest finisher for Ohio Dominican. Rogan Hanson (Craig, Alaska) also ran in his first ODU race, setting a personal best at 17:01.6. Edward Devaney (Lexington, Ohio) rounded out the Panthers with a 5K time of 18:14.5. 

WOMEN
Kylee Henry (Circleville, Ohio) was the best finisher for the Panthers in 54th place, crossing the line in 20:18.3. Kaelin Pfeifer (Washington Court House, Ohio), in her Panthers debut, was the second Panthers across the line in 20:37.3, five spots behind Henry. Gabby Reed (Pickerington, Ohio) and Jaclyn Strawn (Lancaster, Ohio) were within three seconds of each other as they ran times of 21:32.9 and 21:34.0, respectively. Anna Blackstone (Lexington, Ohio) hit 21:47.9 in her first Panther race. Jeralyn Strawn (Lancaster, Ohio) finished at 21:54.8 for the 5k course. Alyza Camp (Waynesville, Ohio) and Morgan MacDonald (Oregon, Ohio), both made their debuts for Ohio Dominican in the race. Camp ended at 22:19.1 with McDonald completing the race in 22:37.4. Tyra McClain (Van Wert, Ohio) was one second behind her classmate at 22:38.7. 

The Panthers will compete next Friday (Sept. 8) night at the Tiffelberg Open, held at Hedges Boyer Park. The races are scheduled at begin at 6:00 PM.