The Ashland University Cross Country team is set to open their fall season at the Tiffelberg Invitational. 

The Ashland University Cross Country team will begin a new season after the end of their last fall season where the men and women exited the season with numerous personal bests.  Hopefully, last season’s bests will transfer to this new season so the team can continue with their success.  

“Success can breed success.” Head Cross Country Coach Jacob Sussman said.  “Last season gave them a taste for something more and it is showing in how they carry themselves.” 

Last season the team ended at the Midwest Regional meet in Evansville Indiana, in which this meet was filled with numerous personal records. 

“Lauren Bero is also stepping up into a similar role and helping push her teammates,” Sussman said.  “Braeden Geist made huge strides forward scoring points in the 10k outdoors last year.” 

Lauren Bero ended last season with a new personal record of 23:21.71; on the other side, Braeden Geist ended last season with a new personal record of 33:15.78. 

“The first meet for us is usually a rust buster,” Bero said.  “And we are getting back in the groove of cross-country racing, which is super different from track racing.” 

“I can’t wait to start seeing the fruits from our offseason work,” Geist added. 

The team is gearing up to compete in Tiffin, hopeful to set new personal bests after a great end to last year’s season. 

“The first meet is always a baby step to something more,” Sussman said.  “We are using it to dip our toes into running on grass again and remember what it is like to compete again.” 

The team is set to take the first baby step of the season by attending the Tiffelberg Invitational in Tiffin, Ohio on September 6th at 6:45 p.m.