Paladins Win Gene Mullin Invitational
GREENVILLE, S.C. - Senior William Ivey won the men’s 5K race, and sophomore Julia Rodriguez claimed first place in the women’s 5K to lead both Paladin teams to victory at the 42nd Gene Mullin Furman Cross Country Invitational Saturday morning in Greenville, S.C. The Furman women’s team scored 14 points for the win, while the men’s team scored 19 points to lead the field of four teams.
The Paladin women placed four runners among the top ten at the meet. Rodriguez paced the team at 18:32.20, followed by sophomore Maddie Wolfe with a time of 18:45.20. Sophomore Ann Sisson claimed fourth place with a time of 19:19.86, while freshman Caroline Reed came in seventh after posting a time of 19:39.40 on the course. Senior McKenzie Woolley rounded out the Paladin scorers in 13th place at 20:09.65, followed by senior Hannah Schilpp in 14th with a time of 21:01.36.
Furman’s men claimed seven of the top-10 spots, led by Ivey at 14:59.86. Sophomore Brock Baker turned in a time of 15:16.96 for second place, while sophomore Matt Lange clinched fourth place with a time of 15:23.86. Sophomore Nate Riech finished just behind Lange, placing fifth at 15:30.57, while sophomore Lee Shearer and junior Jack Miller finished back-to-back, as Shearer placed seventh with a time of 15:44.86, followed by Miller at 15:49.22. Senior James Perez was ninth after posting a time of 16:03.12, while senior Ian Richardson completed the Paladin slate in 13th with a time of 16:41.74.
Furman will split the Paladin squad and compete at two meets next weekend. On Friday, select members of the team will run at the Blue Ridge Open in Boone, N.C., with the remaining Paladin runners competing at the NCAA Pre-Nationals meet in Terre Haute, Ind., on Saturday.
UNCG Competes in Royals Cross Country Challenge
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The UNCG men’s and women’s cross country team competed in the Royals Cross Country Challenge hosted by The Queens University of Charlotte at McAlpine Creek Park Saturday morning.
On the men’s side, four Spartans competed with sophomore David Guthrie bringing in the best time for the Blue and Gold for the day, finishing the 8,000-meter race at 28:20.30. Junior John Elwood ran a 29:28.30 and Jonathan Hodge finished at 31:41.20. Sophomore Andrew Ramsey came in at 34:58.20.
For the women, UNCG finished 20th overall, as local rival Wake Forest took home first place honors. Freshman Amanda Branch was the top female finisher for the Spartans, wrapping up the 5,000-meter race with a time of 20:29.70. Samiiah Wilson finished the day with a time of 20:44.70. Sophomore Katlyn Adkins recorded a time of 21:50.90, while junior Meredith Hicks finished the race in 22:43.80. Freshman Sarah DeSantis finished with a time of 23:43.40.
The Spartans have one more meet before hosting the 2014 Southern Conference Championships at Ivey Redmon Sports Complex October 31. UNCG will head to Terre Haute, Ind. October 18 for the NCAA Pre-National Invitational.