The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Pre Nationals Invitational
Cross Country Posts Pair of Top-30 Finishes at Pre Nationals
October 18 | Cross Country
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Men's Blue Division Results | Women's White Division Results
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The University of Akron men's cross country team closed the 2014 Pre National Invitational in 26th place while the women's squad closed the day in 28th place on Saturday.
Competing in the final tune-up before next month's Mid-American Conference Championships, the Zips competed in an elite field on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, the same course that will play host to the 2014 NCAA Division I National Championship meet on Nov. 22.
The men's squad posted a team score of 689 to improve 19 spots from last year's 45th-place performance in the Blue Division of the men's 8K. This year's field featured 43 teams, including the top-two teams in the nation – No. 1 Colorado (2014 team champion) and No. 2 Oregon – as well as seven top-30 teams in the latest USTFCCCA National Coaches Poll.
Kyle Cochrun led the way for the Zips, finishing in 62nd place in the field of 310 runners with a time of 25:13.3. Trevor Norris followed in 129th place with a time of 25:40.3 while Aaron Howkins was 2.1 seconds behind Norris in 138th place (25:42.4).
Clayton Murphy posted a time of 25:59.6 to finish in 178th place while Dan Zupan rounded out the scoring-five in 187th place (26:03.3). Dylan Papp closed the day in 200th place (26:08.7).
The women's team posted a score of 636 in the White Division of the women's 6K. Kayla Whitlow led the way for the Zips for a second-straight race, finishing in 72nd place with a time of 23:10.0.
Maria Moore posted a time of 23:37.5 to finish in 112th place among 214 runners. Natalie Zidd led a group of three Zips just 10.7 seconds apart, finishing in 149th place (24:06.6). Irene Frangos crossed the line in 155th place (24:12.7) while Michaela Foisy rounded out the scoring-five in 158th place (24:17.3).
Karlie Lieberth and Tara Snipes finished in 201st and 202nd, respectively. Lieberth posted a time of 25:38.8 while Snipes crossed the line in a time of 25:50.0.
The Zips return to action on Saturday, Nov. 1, when both squads travel to Mt. Pleasant, Mich., for the 2014 MAC Cross Country Championships.
