Wake Forest Wins Covered Bridge Open to Start 2023 Campaign

Friday, September 15

Boone, NC

10 a.m.

Wake Forest University

Covered Bridge Open

Wake Forest Wins Covered Bridge Open to Start 2023 Campaign

9/15/2023 1:35:00 PM | Cross Country

The Demon Deacons’ top-five spread all placed in the top-10 Friday.

By: Isaiah Green

BOONE, N.C. – Led by freshman Brooke Wilson, the Wake Forest women's cross country team opened its 2023 season, winning the Covered Bridge Open Friday at the Don Kennedy Trails in Boone, N.C.

As a team, the Demon Deacons tallied 23 points en route to Friday's victory, finishing 13 points ahead of second-place Florida State (36). Of note, the Deacs were the only team to have their entire top-five spread finish in the top-10.

Individually, the Demon Deacons were paced by Wilson as she placed second overall in her first collegiate race, clocking 16:48.41. Graduate students Caroline Garrett (17:08.36), Lydia Van Dijk (17:12.70) and Madeline Rehm (17:35.88), along with junior Leigh Walters (17:25.01) all recorded top-10 finishes, completing the Deacs' top-five.

Overall, Wake Forest had 10 competitors finish in the top-30 Friday, marking the most of any program.

For the men, sophomores Bryce Gilmore and Paul Specht both recorded top-30 finishes to open the 2023 season.

Women's 5k

Place (Points)	Name	Time
2 (2)	Brooke Wilson	16:48.41
4 (3)	Caroline Garrett	17:08.36
5 (4)	Lydia Van Dijk	17:12.70
6 (5)	Leigh Walters	17:25.01
10 (9)	Madeline Rehm	17:35.88
15	Alyssa Preisano	17:47.48
16	Alli Boehm	17:47.56
22	Mackenzie Hart	18:11.76
28	Natalie Weiner	18:24.54
30	Grace Wassell	18:26.61
37	Gabriella Castro	18:40.73
42	Palmer Walstad	19:02.45
56	Albane Fery	19:31.17
61	Clarkson Graham	19:45.42

Men's 8k

Place	Name	Time
26	Bryce Gilmore	25:21.28
27	Paul Specht	25:21.91
41	Colin Chapman	25:54.45
58	Vince Mwangi	26:36.64

From the Staff
"Today was a great early-season race that has us excited for the remainder of the season. Racing for the win today helps to prepare us for a larger field at Paul Short in two weeks. These women never fail to make me proud." - associate head coach Ashley Bastron

Up Next
The Wake Forest men will return to action Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Virginia Invitational, while the women will take a two week hiatus before competing at the Paul Short Run on Sept. 30 in Bethlehem, Pa.

Follow The Demon Deacons
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs