The Bowling Green cross country and track and field programs have announced the addition of 16 newcomers who will compete during the 2024-25 season, including a group of talented sprinters, mid-distance, and distance runners.

“This is a great incoming class,” BGSU head cross country and track coach Lou Snelling said. “It reflects our balance as a program with all event areas being represented and desire to win MAC Championships.

“These athletes all have strong commonalities; athletic accomplishment at the highest level, strong academic prowess, big desire to do both at the highest levels in division one, great leadership abilities, and amazing character. They are a great fit for our Falcon family.”

Amelia Barilla arrives from Penn Trafford High School in Trafford, Pennsylvania, where she had times of 2:15.25 in the 800-meter run and 5:09.79 in the 1600.

“We’ll look for Amelia to give us immediate depth in the middle distance events and grow into a strong presence in cross country,” Snelling said. “She has a strong work ethic, and I look forward to watching her development at Bowling Green.”

Another Ohioan, Erinae Coleman arrives from Cincinnati Princeton with a time of 11.9 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 25.2 in the 200.

“Erinae comes in a decorated state and national sprinter anchoring the Division 1 Ohio state championship team in both the 4×100 and 4×200 relays,” said BGSU assistant coach (sprints/jumps/multis) Reggie Trotter.

“That same 4×100 team later went on to Adidas Nationals and finished first with her placing fourth in the 100 as an individual.

“She is a dynamic starter and personality that will bring a great edge to the sprints group and help take our team to the next level on and off the track.”

From Lambertville, Michigan, Madison Foster went to Bedford High School and now she will transfer from Michigan State University. Foster had times of 5:00.94 in the 1600, 10:47.55 in the 3200 and 17:41 in the 5000.

“Madison had a great senior year showcasing her strength as a true distance runner placing top five in the state at the Division I level,” Snelling said.

“She joins us after competing at Michigan State. Madison is excited for an individualized and holistic experience while pursuing a top-notch Forensic Science degree.”

Kiersten Franklin, who attended Lehman Catholic High School, is transferring from Cedarville University, where she posted top times of 11.7 seconds in the 100, 24.2 in the 200, and 55.3 in the 400.

“Kiersten joins us after spending her previous two years at Cedarville University where she scored in every event she competed in, both indoor and outdoor. Her range in all sprinting events will serve as a catalyst in propelling our team to new heights in the coming years,” said Trotter.

Syerra Gerber, from St. Marys Memorial in Ohio, had top times of 12.2 seconds in the 100, 25.4 in the 200, and 56.9 in the 400.

“Syerra comes in a versatile athlete placing fifth in the 400 at the Ohio state meet and qualifying in the 100,” Trotter said.

“She is a raw multi-sport talent with a very high ceiling. The improvements she has made over her senior year have shown the potential to not only compete at this level but be a conference scorer on a year-to-year basis.”

From Franklinville High School in New York, Tyvetta Herman had top tiems of 12.2 seconds in the 100, 25.2 in the 200, and 57.01 seconds in the 400.

“Tyyetta is a multi-sport athlete with tremendous upside,” Trotter said. “She placed third in the 400 in both 2023 and 2024 at the New York Division II xtate championships while also placing fifth in the 100-meter.

“Her drive for improvement and consistency will play a major role in sparking the team in practice and at the meets.”

From Plain City, Ohio, Rachael Hoover arrives from Fairbanks High School with a top 800 time of 2:15.13 and 4:56.03 in the 1600.

“Rachael has a ton of upside athletically,” Snelling said. “With time and development, she can make an important impact on BG cross country and track and field.

“Combine that with a strong leadership skill set and academic record, we’re excited for her to join the Falcon Family. Rachael had a great senior track season placing third in the state in both the 1,600-meter and 800-meter.”

Christabelle Obi is from Ann Arbor Huron High School and is now transferring to BGSU from Saint Augustine’s University. She had a top 100-meter hurdles time of 14.51 and top 400-meter hurdles time of 1:02.08.

“Christabelle comes to us as a combo hurdler from Saint Augustine’s University with a tremendous up side. Her versatility as a runner show strong potential to score in both the 100 and 400 hurdles in our conference,” Trotter said.

“Her experiences at the collegiate level will bring leadership to the team that will make an immediate impact to team culture and help move us in the right direction.”

Lexi Panning arrives from Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran with a top time of 10:33.66 in the 3200 and 17:50.6 running a cross country 5,000 meters.

“I really look forward to watching Lexi develop in her time at Bowling Green,” Snelling said. “She is a true distance athlete that will make an immediate impact on our team and the MAC.

“Lexi took big steps in 2023 as she focused more on the sport placing sixth in the state of Indiana in the 3,200-meter and seventh in cross country. She followed that up with fifth place finish in the state in the 3,200-meter her senior year running 10:33.66.”

From Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Reese Reaman arrives from Woodridge High School after top times of 2:10 in the 800, 4:52.15 in the 1600 and 17:38.2 in cross country.

“Reese has a huge range of abilities,” Snelling said. “Last spring, she stepped all the way down to the 200-meter to help her team at their league meet and won the OHSAA Division II state title in cross country this past fall.

“This semester Reese won a bevy of state titles in the 800-meter (indoor and outdoor), 1,600-meter and 4×800 meter (relay). The sky is the limit on what she can accomplish in all three seasons during her time at Bowling Green.”

On the men’s side, Luke Lesseuer arrives from Shelby with a top time of 2:03 in the 800, 4:33 in the 1600, and 9:56 in the 3200.

“Luke has the turnover of a middle-distance athlete, but the rhythm of a long-distance runner,” said assistant track and cross country coach Candace Archer.

“I believe he will make an immediate impact on this team, not only physically, but his open-minded attitude will take him and the team far. This is a young squad we have, and Luke contributes many skills we will need in his career here at Bowling Green.”