Ratliff takes first, XC opens 2025 season

Payne Ratliff won the men's four mile race on Friday afternoon.

WOOSTER, Ohio – On Friday, the Otterbein University cross country teams opened the 2025 season at the Wooster Invitational. Payne Ratliff won the men's race, seeing the Cardinals take the top three spots, followed by Tucker See and Mitch Green.

FULL MEET RESULTS

In the meet that featured no team scores, the women ran a 4K and the men completed a four mile race.

Sophomore Brenna Lay led the Cardinals in the season opening meet, running a 15:52.9 and taking eighth place. Kate Thormeier shined in her collegiate debut, as the freshman placed 11th with a time of 16:03.5. With a time of 16:29.3, Kiersten Knell was the next Cardinal to cross the finish line, coming in 19th.

A pair of Otterbein newcomers finished next, with Grace Blonde (16:37.4) and Abby Kobs (16:46.1) also running in the top 25. Four Cardinals finished together, led by Eliza McDonald's 16:58.0. Behind her were fellow sophomores Maggie Poor (16:58.8) and Maggie Moon (17:04.7) and freshman Ella Degenhard (17:07.2).

Rounding out Otterbein's women's team was Rachel Ziel, Gigi Leiter and Kennedy Helton.

Led by Ratliff (20:05.0), See (21:38.2) and Green (21:40.6) going 1-2-3, Otterbein saw Corey Rafferty (21:47.3, fifth), Caleb Rafferty (22:03.5, ninth) and Brady Pugh (22:04.6, tenth) also finish in the top ten.

Senior David Hartman was the next Otterbein runner to cross, clocking in with a 22:27.5. Also finishing inside the 23-minute mark was Gavin Kelly (22:41.1) and Drew Osler (22:51.3). Otterbein saw Aidan Castillo, Jonny Powers, Alec Spangler, Charlie Rundio and Henry Barnes all clock in under 24 minutes.

James Vasselo, Brannon Moser, Joshua Porter, Brady Williams, Vince Catalano and Easton Miller all ran for the Cardinals, with four making their collegiate debuts.

On Sep. 13, Otterbein returns to the course in exciting fashion, running at home for the first time in eight years. The Cardinals will host the Otterbein Invitational at the Lehman Cross Country Course.

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Players Mentioned

Henry Barnes: Sophomore

Aidan Castillo: Sophomore

Mitch Green: Junior

David Hartman: Senior

Gavin Kelly: Senior

Drew Osler: Senior

Joshua Porter: Sophomore

Jonny Powers: Senior

Brady Pugh: Junior

Caleb Rafferty: Junior

Corey Rafferty: Junior

Payne Ratliff: Senior

Players Mentioned

Henry Barnes
: Sophomore

Aidan Castillo
: Sophomore

Mitch Green
: Junior

David Hartman
: Senior

Gavin Kelly
: Senior

Drew Osler
: Senior

Joshua Porter
: Sophomore

Jonny Powers
: Senior

Brady Pugh
: Junior

Caleb Rafferty
: Junior

Corey Rafferty
: Junior

Payne Ratliff
: Senior