The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Cross Country has Strong Showing at Indiana Open
September 13 | Cross Country
Indiana Open Results (PDF)
Bloomington , Ind.- The University of Akron men's cross country team competed In the Indiana Open Saturday. The meet was scored using the open format which places each runner as an individual and does not calculate team finishes.
Indiana paced their first meet of the season led by Zachary Mayhew who won the event. Indiana was able to place all five of their runners inside the top twenty, placing three runners in the top ten.
Leading the way for the Zips in the open format scoring was junior Joe McCoy with a time of 20:00.73. McCoy, who set the UA record at last week's Tommy Evans Invitational, placed fourth among the 27 runners.
"Joe ran a very good rcae," said UA head coach Lee LaBadie. "He was able to run with the lead pack for the first three miles before the pack began to break up in the final two miles."
The Zips first 8k race proved to be a step in the right direction as the team finished with all five of competitors finishing in the top 15. Following McCoy across the finish line were Gus Dudek (6), Dan Jackisch (9), Zach Goulet (10), Nick Stroemple (12), and Heath Harris (13).
"As a team the guys ran well on a tough, hilly course," commented LaBadie. "The experience of this race will prove to be valuable when we return to this course for the Great Lakes Regional at the end of the season."
"I was also happy with the performance of our freshmen today," said Labadie. "They are exciting to watch as they continually improve and learn each week."
The men will be joined by the women's team as both will make the trip to Buffalo, N.Y. to compete in the annual running of the Buffalo Stampede, hosted by the University at Buffalo, on Saturday, September 19.
