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FSU Cross Country Squads Dominate Field At Ray Helsing Bulldog Invite
Posted: Sep 06, 2025

FSU Cross Country Squads Dominate Field At Ray Helsing Bulldog Invite

Results

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Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's and women's cross country squads played host to the 50th annual Ray Helsing Bulldog Invitational on Saturday (Sept. 6) at FSU's Katke Golf Course.

The Bulldogs had strong results as the women's team took seven of the top eight spots overall, including individual champion Whitney Farrell, who clocked 18:41.43 on the 5K course. A total of 13 Bulldog runners placed in the top 20 of the women's field.

In the men's competition, Ferris State was led by Emmett Johnson, who earned runner-up honors with a time of 26:09.53 in the 8K event. Six Bulldog runners placed in the top 10, which also included several other unattached participants. Overall, the FSU men had 10 runners in the top 20 overall.

The Ray Helsing Bulldog Invitational was renamed in 2010 in honor of former coach Ray Helsing, who passed away in 2014. He guided the Bulldog cross country along with track and field programs from 1968-82. Helsing was inducted into the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001 and tutored more All-Americans than any coach in FSU history. He helped produce 20 All-Americans in cross country and track from 1968-82 and was best known for founding and coaching Ferris cross country, leading his teams to a 77-17 dual meet mark and four Great Lakes Conference titles.

This year (2025) marked the 50th overall running of the Bulldog Invitational and either a men's or women's collegiate event had been held each year since 1976 prior to the 2020 cancellation due to COVID-19.

Saturday's meet represented the first competition of the season for both FSU teams and gave both teams an opportunity to run on their home course this fall.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 12, taking part in both the Warrior Invite in New Boston (Mich.) and the Spartan Invite in Lansing.

Visit the link below for complete meet results:
https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/258638/info