Air Force Wraps Up Action at Season Opener

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force cross country team, which includes a men's squad that is receiving votes in the national preseason coaches poll, kicked off the 2021 season this morning (Sept. 4) at the AFXC Open in Colorado Springs.

With a winning time of 17:13, freshman Lindsey Peters led a young women's team around the three-mile course at Monument Valley Park. Fellow first-year Falcon Halle Hamilton finished second in 17:25, while sophomore Rebecca Wusinich rounded out the top three with a time of 17:31. While this was not a scoring meet, sophomore Rayna Fruchey and freshman Tiaree Towler rounded out the top-five with matching times of 17:35.

The men, completing a four-mile race around the park this morning, continued its strong tradition of 'pack running', as the top 12 finishers crossed the line within just one second of each another. Senior AJ Kedge, junior Aidan Boyle, junior Niko Fraser, senior Will Kitzhaber, junior Scott Maison and sophomore Nick Scheller claimed the top-six places with matching times of 20:14, while junior Ethan Marshall, junior Sam Gilman, sophomore Sean Maison, senior Ryan Ioanidis, sophomore Luke Combs and junior Ryan Johnson posted marks of 20:15 to round out the top 12 of the 21-runner event.

"Today was a positive start to our racing season," head coach Ryan Cole said. "We run that course regularly, so having individuals improve and being able to compare our current group against past groups is important for the team to see what they're capable of this fall. We still have a lot of work to do, but after this morning, there's definitely some excitement as we look ahead."

The Falcons return to action on Saturday, Sept. 18, when the select members of the squad travels to Lincoln, Neb., for the annual Woody Greeno Invitational.

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Players Mentioned

Aidan Boyle

Luke Combs

Niko Fraser

Rayna Fruchey

Sam Gilman

Halle Hamilton

Ryan Ioanidis

Ryan Johnson

AJ Kedge

Will Kitzhaber

Scott Maison

Sean Maison

Ethan Marshall

Lindsey Peters

Nick Scheller

Tiaree Towler

Rebecca Wusinich

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