Lauren Barker
Several recent high school graduates made their collegiate debuts over the weekend with some big results.
Here is a look at how they, along with a couple of veterans, fared:
Barker scores in debut
FRANKLIN — It didn’t take long for Lauren Barker to make her presence felt at the collegiate level.
The freshman from Columbus North scored the Grizzlies’ first goal of the season Friday in a 3-0 season-opening women’s soccer win against Berea. Barker took three shots, all of them on goal.
Franklin (1-0-1) tied Muskingum (Ohio) 0-0 on Sunday. The Grizzlies’ next four games are on the road before they return home to face Albion (Mich.) on Sept. 17.
Barker is one of three freshmen from Columbus on the Franklin squad, joining fellow North graduate Sarah Fulp and Columbus East grad Maggie Matthews. Barker, who was a two-sport standout at North, also is playing basketball at Franklin.
Russell helps Xavier to title
KENOSHA, Wis. — Will Russell had a big collegiate debut on Friday, helping lead the Xavier men’s cross-country team to the championship in Wisconsin-Parkside’s Vic Godfrey Open.
Will Russell
Russell, a freshman from Columbus North, was the Musketeers’ No. 2 runner. He finished seventh overall in 19 minutes, 10.93 seconds for 6K (3.8 miles).
Xavier scored 36 points, finishing ahead of runner-up Wisconsin-Parkside (41) and third-place Butler (45).
The Musketeers will compete in the All-Ohio Challenge Sept. 15 at Cedarville.
Newells run for Navy
HAMILTON, N.Y. — Matt Newell helped the Navy men’s cross-country team open its season Saturday with a runner-up finish in Colgate’s Harry Lang Invitational.
Matt Newell
Newell, a sophomore from Columbus North, was the No. 4 runner for the Midshipmen. He finished 10th overall in 19:35.1 for 6K (3.8 miles).
Brianna Newell
Newell’s sister, freshman Brianna Newell, was Navy’s No. 7 women’s runner and helped the Midshipmen to a fifth-place team finish. She was 33rd overall in 19:40.1 for 5K (3.1 miles)
Navy’s men and women will host its Navy Invitational on Saturday.
Mendez leads Louisville
RICHMOND, Ky. — Mateo Mendez made his collegiate debut on Saturday by leading the Louisville men’s cross-country team in a tri meet against Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky at EKU.
Mateo Mendez
Mendez, a freshman from Columbus North, was the Cardinals No. 1 runner. He finished 13th overall in 16:45 for 5K (3.1 miles).
Louisville is off until hosting the Live in Lou Classic on Sept. 30.
Baker makes strong showing
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Lily Baker didn’t run with Tennessee’s varsity women’s cross-country lineup on Friday, but she ended up being the ninth-fastest Vol.
Lily Baker
Baker, a freshman from Columbus North, ran unattached and finished ninth in 17:28.8 for 5K (3.1 miles). Tennessee took the top 10 individual spots in the four-team season-opening event.
The Vols will compete in South Carolina’s Gamecock Challenge on Sept. 15.
Kiesler helps Boise get runner-up
SAN FRANCISCO — Julia Kiesler had a solid collegiate debut, helping the Boise State women’s cross-country team to a runner-up finish in the University of San Francisco Invitational.
Julia Kiesler
Kiesler, a freshman from Columbus North, was the Broncos’ No. 3 runner. She finished ninth overall in 21:03.9 for 6K (3.8 miles).
Boise State will compete in Minnesota’s Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 22.
Stiles leads Bruin defense
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Eric Stiles helped the Belmont men’s soccer team beat Houston Christian 2-1 on Friday and tie Chicago State 1-1 on Sunday.
Eric Stiles
Stiles, a senior from Columbus East, leads a defense that has allowed only three goals in four games.
The Bruins (2-0-2) will visit Memphis on Friday and Southern Indiana on Sept. 12.
Gilley helps Sycamores to win
ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Cadence Gilley recorded 14 digs Friday to help Indiana State volleyball to a four-set win against Louisiana-Monroe in the Lindenwood Invitational.
Cadence Gilley
Gilley, a sophomore from Columbus East, had four assists in Sunday’s four-set loss to Lindenwood. She ranks third on the 2-4 Sycamores with 12 assists and six aces and fourth with 55 digs.
Indiana State will play in Morehead State’s Comfort Inn-Vitational Friday and Saturday.
Likens debuts for Hillsdale
INDIANAPOLIS — Neal Likens made his collegiate debut for Hillsdale (Michigan) in Saturday’s 39-20 loss at University of Indianapolis.
Likens, a redshirt freshman from Columbus North, started at defensive end and was the long snapper for the Chargers.
