Men Take Second, Women Third at 40th Annual Jeff Drenth Memorial 5K

Friday, August 29

Shepherd, Mich.

11:35 am

Central Michigan University

40th Annual Jeff Drenth Memorial

Photo by: Lauren Verellen

Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography

Men Take Second, Women Third at 40th Annual Jeff Drenth Memorial 5K

8/29/2025 2:51:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Men's Results Women's Results Photo Gallery

Eight seniors recognized for CMU careers

By: Jasper Gallagher

SHEPHERD, Mich. — Central Michigan Cross Country began its 2025 season Friday with the 40^th Annual Jeff Drenth Memorial 5K at Shepherd High School.

The men's team took second of eight, logging two top five finishers in Junior Nick Cockerel (3^rd) and Senior Ethan Leitner (5^th), each posting a personal best. Cockrel logged 14:48.00, while Leitner crossed in 14:54.40.

Seniors Jason Fredricks (13^th), Joey Taverna (17^th), and Sophomore Gregory Janesak (18^th) rounded out the Chippewa's top five, each earning PR's.

"I think on the men's side, you could tell that it's a veteran team that's very senior heavy, because they just went for the win." Head Coach Jenny Swieton said of the men's performance. "You know, we came up a little short, but man, we have never been that close to the win. And that was so fun and so awesome for them. Our goal today was just to have fun and trying to win is fun. That's what it's all about."

Rounding out the men's side were:

Miciah Smith (19^th / PR)
Clay Kuiper (29^th / PR)
Spencer Parker (32^nd / PR)
Mason Lucas (45^th / PR)
Aiden Smith (48^th)
Andrew Floros (49^th / PR)
Hong Bing Tang (57^th)
Colin Wesseldyk (65^th / PR)

CMU women placed third of 10 falling behind Michigan State and Western Michigan. Freshman Kyah Hoffman led the Chippewas, placing sixth overall logging 17:38.30 in her first collegiate race, and logging the 12th fastest time in school history.

Senior Kate Jenkins (15^th), Junior Emma Janesak (16^th), alongside Freshmen Eva Thompson (17^th) and Grace VanderKooi (20^th) rounded out the Chippewas top five, each logging personal bests.

"On the women's side, our team is relatively young. People definitely competed without fear and they went out and just did the best they can for each other. I think they did a really good job at using their teammates to help them, like pull them along and that was awesome. It was a really good start for this time of year and we're happy to see where it takes us in the future."

For the remainder of the women:

Kayla Williams (22nd / PR)
Maya Guikema (26^th)
Emma Netzel (31^st / PR)
Alisha Mabie (32^nd / PR)
Miranda McNeil (34^th / PR)
Logan Brazee (35^th)
Nikki Carothers (36^th)
Ambria Nagel (39^th)
Mara Szuper (70^th)

Directly following the conclusion of the men's race, the Chippewa's recognizes their eight seniors. Six coming from the men in Leitner, Fredricks, Taverna, Kuiper, and Tang; while the women recognized two in Jessie Gibbins, and Kate Jenkins.

"We have Kate and Jessie on the women's side and they've always been such an important part of the team ever since they got here. Kate's been to every MAC meet, they have both just been so important. It's hard for me to like picture it without them.

"This group of senior guys really took a chance on us, at a time when our team wasn't as strong. We didn't do a lot, and they were pretty talented out of high school, and they were still willing to take a chance on CMU. And that idea that they could make it way better. I think they've done that every year. It's so awesome to see them in the position that they are as seniors because it's been learning lessons every year to get better and to get to this point, I can't wait to see what the rest of the season shows."

The Chippewas will be back in action Sept. 19^th, at the George Dales Classic in Kalamazoo, Mich.

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