Cross Country Teams Impressive at Tommy Evans Invitational
Tommy Evans Invitational (Men's Results)
Tommy Evans Invitational (Women's Results)
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2011 season in impressive fashion Thursday at the 43rd running of the Tommy Evans Invitational at Firestone Metro Park.
Behind second and third-place finishes from fellow freshmen Maria Moore (18:52) and Morgan Willis (19:19), the Zips women swept Buffalo (18-37), Kent State (20-35), Malone (22-35) and Youngstown State (21-34) in dual meet scoring to win their 5k.
Meanwhile, Brad Hough clocked a time of 20:14 to win the men's four-mile race and lead the Zips to wins over Buffalo (25-34), Malone (25-30) and Youngstown State (16-45). KSU's men's team edged the Zips, 25-30.
It was a dominant first showing for the young Zips' women, who placed four runners in the top 10. Following Moore's and Willis' lead, sophomores Alex Bowers (19:25) and Kayla Whitlow (19:26) finished fifth and sixth, respectively. Freshman Jillian Roth rounded out the list of Akron scorers, placing 21st with a time of 19:57.
Youngstown State's Samantha Hamilton won the competition, crossing the line in 18:40.
Hough was one of two UA runners to place in the top 10 and one of five to finish in the top 20. Freshman Dylan Papp placed eighth with a time of 20:51, while senior Brian Cull (20:58) and sophomore Kyle Wheeler (21:04) took 12th and 14th place, respectively. Freshman Albert Brannan was the final scorer on the men's side with a 16th-place finish and time of 21:12.
Three more Zips finished 24-26 with senior Andy Knapp leading the way at 21:35, followed by juniors Nick Stroemple (21:39) and Dan Jackisch (21:44). Freshman John Wodarski placed 31st with a time of 22:12.
The Zips cross country teams will be back in action on Sept. 17 when they travel to Annapolis, Md., for the Salty Dog Invitational.
