Select Page

by Ty ReaganStudent Contributor 

Wilmore, KY: The women’s and men’s cross country team traveled to compete in the Asbury Invitational on Saturday, October 20th.  The weather started out cold and rainy, but the conditions changed to partly sunny with no rain and the temperature warmed before the end of the race.

A total of 48 women’s runners and a total of 53 men’s runners comprised the field for the 5K (3.1 mile) women’s race and 8K (5 mile) men’s race.  ALC women’s competitors faced runners from 6 different colleges and the men’s competitors faced 7 different teams.  This race was really competitive.  The course offered several hills and was muddy along large portions of the trail, which offered a tough challenge for our Lady Eagles and Eagles.

The Lady Eagles were led once more by the fine duo of junior Kacey Troutt and senior Brittney Buttrey, who crossed the line less than a second apart in times of 21:40 and 21:41 respectively. These finishes were good enough for 4th and 5th place overall. Completing the team’s top five were freshman Brooke Vanover, who finished with a time of 23:22; sophomore Morgan Arthur, with a time of 23:36; and newcomer Cheyenne Tolliver, who completed her first race with the team in a time of 25:44.  Senior Cheyenne Boggs finished in 25:55 and freshman Abigail Webb ran with a time of 27:02.  Freshman Hannah Bryant returned from injury to finish her first race with the team with a time of 27:51.

In the men’s race, junior Ryan Morris led the Eagles once again, finishing in the top ten with a 7th place time of 28:55. Freshman Alex Lewis wasn’t too far behind in 30:25.  Completing the team’s top five were junior Noah Stevenson, who finished with a career-best time of 30:44; freshman Jacob Bush, who finished with a time of 33:09; and senior John Driskill, with a time of 34:05 on the day.  Also competing hard were freshman Dakota Owens, with a time of 36:46, and senior Zach Templeton, with a time of 37:21.

The team will next compete in the KIAC Conference Championship at Brescia University/Yellow Creek Park on November 3rd.  The start of the race is to be determined.  Both the men’s and women’s teams look to impress and produce season-best times as this is the last meet before their appearance at the NCCAA National Championship meet on November 10th.

Link to results:

https://www.directathletics.com/results/xc/14436