Strong start to season; Yellow Jackets claim first and third at Wilberforce Invitational

WILBERFORCE, Ohio - The Defiance College cross country programs opened their 2025 seasons in impressive fashion at the Wilberforce Invitational on Friday, as the Yellow Jacket women raced to a first-place team finish while the men claimed third overall in their debut, and seven personal records were set.

The women, who posted five runners in the 5k, claimed the No. 1 spot for the first time since the 2010 season, and head coach James Rollins' inaugural regular season win. Sophomore Adeline Niyonkunda crossed the finish line second overall with a time of 22:54.0, which set the tone for Defiance. Sophomore Zawadi Debola, who was a staple last season, set a new personal record with a finish at the 23:20.9 mark to come in the third-place spot. The remaining women each contributed with impressive finishes, ending in fourth, eighth and 11-overall, ultimately landing the Yellow Jackets atop the podium. 

The men's podium finish was due to their own five competitors. True freshman Yafet Mehari started out his collegiate running career on the winning side with a ninth-overall finish and time of 19:18.1. Senior Eli Fortman came in two places behind Mehari with his new personal best time of 20:03.9 — setting the tempo for the season. Freshman Brenden Patterson also unveiled a personal record in his first collegiate race with a 15th-place finish with a 20:36.8 time.  

Women

2- Adeline Niyonkunda, 22:54.0 (PR) 

3- Zawadi Debola, 23:20.9 (PR)

4- Mira Horvath, 23:37.8 

8- Israa Khamis, 29:10.6 (PR)

11- Amira Knight, 31:27.8 (PR)

Men

9- Yafet Mehari, 19:18.1 (PR)

11- Eli Fortman, 20:02.9 (PR)

14- Jake Stephens, 20:28.8

15- Brenden Patterson, 20:36.8 (PR)

17- J'Vontae Barnes, 21:55.5 

UP NEXT

Defiance College will resume its season on Sept. 5 in the Tiffelberg Open at the Paradiso Athletic Complex beginning at 6 p.m.

-JACKETS-