The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Tommy Evans Invitational
Moore's Win Propels Women's Cross Country Team to Title at Tommy Evans Invitational
September 06 | Cross Country
Men's Results (.pdf) | Women's Results (.pdf)
AKRON, Ohio – Sophomore Maria Moore won the women's race leading the University of Akron women's cross country team to a first place finish as the Zips opened the 2012 season Thursday at the 44th running of the Tommy Evans Invitational at Firestone Metro Park. The Zip men finished third as a team and were led by junior Kyle Wheeler's fifth place showing.
The UA women won the team race with 29 points, placing five runners in the top-12. Malone was second with 47, while Kent State (77), Youngstown State (86) and Marshall (115) rounded out the team scores.
On the men's side, Malone captured the team crown with 36 points. Kent State was second (52), Akron third (56), Marshall fourth (89) and Youngstown State fifth (122).
Running in hot and humid conditions, Moore covered the five kilometer (3.1 mile) course in a time of 18:34, bettering her nearest competitor in the 47-woman field by seven seconds. Sophomore Kayla Whitlow also had a strong race, finishing third overall for Akron in 18:46.
Junior Alexsandra Bowers and sophomore Jillian Roth finished back-to-back in the top-10 as Bowers was sixth (19:07) and Roth was seventh (19:18). Sophomore Morgan Willis rounded out the Akron top-five with a 12th place finish (19:26).
Also competing for the Zip women were junior Sarah Baker (13th; 19:28), freshman Irene Frangos (21st; 19:48), sophomore Marissa Baranauskas (22nd; 19:49), freshman Karlie Lieberth (25th; 20:27), sophomore Lauren Buser (32nd; 21:20), and freshman Abbie Kopcsak (37th; 22:02).
Wheeler led the Zip men as he clocked a time of 20:50 for the four mile race to place fifth overall in the 41-man field. Seniors Heath Harris and Zachary Goulet were next for Akron as both men earned top-10 finishes. Harris was seventh (20:55) and Goulet ninth (20:58).
Freshman Aaron Howkins was 12th overall (21:09) and senior Nick Stroemple rounded out the UA scoring in 24th (22:05). Senior JT Olson was 26th in 22:09 and freshman Martin Zegarelli was 33rd (22:50).
Kent State's Mike Heller won the men's race in 20:28.
The UA cross country teams will be back in action on Sept. 15 when they travel to Buffalo, N.Y. for the Buffalo Stampede Invitational.
