Traveling to a road environment to take on a larger school is never easy for a mid-major team in any sport.
Bradley men’s cross country didn’t receive that memo.
The first invite of the year saw the team travel to Indiana to compete against the Hoosiers in the Sam Bell Invitational. Despite facing a power conference opponent, the Braves dominated the 6000-meter run, occupying seven of the top 11 finishes, including each of the top three.
Head coach Andrew Carlson had high expectations for the Braves’ first outing of the season – he knows their potential – but even he was impressed with the team’s performances.
“I expected us to be in good shape and to come out and do well,” Carlson said. “I think the men kind of exceeded a bit of the expectations going up against a team like Indiana and beating them like that.”
Placing the Braves at the top were two of their most experienced and successful runners, junior Travis Gaffney and senior Jayde Rosslee. Each posted a time of 18:10, though Gaffney edged out his teammate by three-tenths of a second to take first overall.
“It was definitely exciting to be there with all the guys and run with someone of Jayde’s caliber,” Gaffney said. “We kind of just jogged in the finish together when we had a clear lead at the front, and it was pretty cool to be in that position.”
Just four seconds behind the duo was sophomore Jacob Trangmar, who placed third to round out a podium sweep for Bradley. The Braves’ next group of four runners placed between eighth and eleventh, helping earn a team score of 23 that comfortably beat out the Hoosiers’ 34.
Women show promise
The women’s team wasn’t left in the dust either.
Though they placed behind Indiana, it was not without a fight, as they finished just a few seconds and placements off from completing the two-team sweep of the invite.
Sophomore Noelle Steines paced the Braves and finished second with a time of 13:30.2, a new career-best.
Her preparation for the meet began well before the starting pistol was fired.
“I focused on consistency and showing up this summer,” Steines said. “Even when the humidity was sky high, and I felt like I wasn’t hitting any paces, I didn’t overanalyze it. I also started picking up my mileage and just followed along with Coach Carlson’s training program.”
“I trust him and his wisdom with running.”
Placing second for Bradley and fifth overall was freshman Pauline Klessiek, who finished with a time of 13:57 in her collegiate debut. According to Carlson, Klessiek got a late start on her summer training because she was running in Germany and dealt with some ailments as the season approached.
But her performance says she’s now healthy, and the rookie couldn’t have left a better first impression.
”She’s one to keep an eye on moving forward,” Carlson said. “She had a late summer and was a little bit sick, but she came out and was our second runner in her first-ever race at Bradley.”
The Braves had two more finishers inside the top 10: senior Rhune Vanroose and freshman Louna Schuler, who placed eighth and ninth respectively. Senior Carissa Hamilton finished a few seconds behind them and placed 12th.
Their showing was just a glimpse of what’s to come – especially when the team gets healthy.
“I thought the women did great, and we have some younger people getting their first races in,” Carlson said. “Ultimately we’re missing a few of our top runners right now as they return from injury.”
“I think we’re still going to be a really good team in the early parts of the season, but our best is going to be later in October when it matters.”
Building to the next level
Bradley has had great seasons in recent years, but neither team has been able to get over the regional hump to qualify for nationals. Stacking good meets early against quality opponents will only fuel their belief that they can do it this season.
“It gives us some confidence and motivation,” Gaffney said. “It means we’re doing something right and we’re heading in the right direction. It’s a good start to our year.”
Though the team acknowledges that it will be an uphill battle to get there, they know they have the potential to compete at the highest level.
“We’re a really good team, and we’re able to beat schools in the Power Five,” Carlson said. “We’re punching above our weight with these schools, and one of these years I know we’re going to have a pretty big punch. It’s really hard to make the NCAA as an individual or as a team.”
“But we have the people who, if they make big steps, you never know.”
