FAIRBORN, OH - The men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2023 season at the Mike Baumer Cross Country Classic Friday night against high competition. The Trailblazers were happy to get the season rolling after their original opening meet got rained out last weekend.

Lexie Engstrom highlighted the day as the third NAIA finisher with a massive 2:41 PB of 20:02. Engstrom only got two races under her belt last fall due to injury but is beginning her junior season strong, moving up to 6^th on the Ohio Christian all-time list in her first race of the year. 

The rest of the women's team was made up of three freshmen, each impressing in their first college race. Paige Parker opened her year with a 14-second PB of 20:48, putting her at the ninth-fastest time in school history as a freshman. Impreza Rogers ran a 4-second PB of 21:39. Abigail Kobs opened her collegiate career with a time of 22:39.

The men's side battled against some high level competition in their 5k opener. Corry Mientkiewicz led the way with a 16:35 finished, edging out Payton Herron by just three seconds. Herron ran a 5k PB with a time of 16:38. Transfer Bryden Moxley opened his Trailblazer career with a 17:24 finish.

The Trailblazers head to Indiana Wesleyan University this Friday, September 8^th for the IWU Twilight Invitational.

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