The Valparaiso University cross country program opened the season on Friday by hosting the program’s annual home meet, the Winrow Open at Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso. The Valpo men’s team was paced by junior Eric Carothers (Fishers, Ind. / Hamilton Southeastern), while the Valpo women were led by sophomore Grace Aurand (Highland, Ind. / Highland).

How It Happened

• Carothers clocked a time of 18:55.6 in the men’s 6K. He finished in the top 20 in a competitive field of teams that featured national powerhouse Notre Dame as well as Purdue and Green Bay.
• Carothers was followed closely by senior Ignacio Veloz Bonilla (San Juan, P.R. / American Military Academy), who also enjoyed a top-20 performance in the strong field. He stopped the clock at 19:15.7.
• In the women’s 5K, Aurand’s time of 19:41 led the Beacons with an 18^th-place finish. She was followed by sophomore Joely Overstreet (Genoa, Ill. / Genoa-Kingston), who joined her in the Top 20 with a time of 19:47.1. Senior Alaina Carpenter (Grandville, Mich. / Grandville) rounded out a trio of Valpo runners in the Top 20 with a 19:49.3.
• Valpo outdid Green Bay for third in the team standings on the men’s side. Notre Dame topped the team competition on the men’s side, while the Purdue women captured the team crown.

Up Next
Valpo will return to action on Friday, Sept. 17 to compete in the Illinois State Invite in Normal, Ill.