The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational
Zupan and Mosier Direct Zips' Efforts at Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational
September 16 | Cross Country
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MEN'S RESULTS (PDF) | WOMEN'S RESULTS (PDF)
BLACKSBURG, Va. - Senior Dan Zupan (Berea, Ohio) and redshirt sophomore Elizabeth Mosier (Austintown, Ohio) directed the efforts of the University of Akron men's and women's cross country teams at the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational on Friday, Sept. 16, registering the Zips' top finishes in the men's and women's races, respectively.
Akron placed fourth in the nine-team women's field, while the Zips' men's squad finished fifth in the nine-team men's field.
Mosier crossed the line in the women's 6K race in a team-best 22:57.40, a time that was good for 28th place.
Freshmen Haley Hess (Curtice, Ohio), Hannah Pineault (Morgantown, W.Va.) and Vanessa Rivera (Seville, Ohio) followed Mosier across the line in 23:06.90, 23:14.60 and 23:23.50 to finish 30th, 33rd and 38th, respectively. Sophomore Tarike Osuobeni (Columbus, Ohio) completed Akron's top five registering a 44th-place effort in 23:37.10.
Sophomore Morgan Buckley (Warren, Ohio) (23:41.40/46th), redshirt junior Sarah Kupniewski (Erie, Pa.) (23:49.00/53rd) and redshirt junior Alexandra Blair (Akron, Ohio) (24:38.90/66th) rounded out the Zips' women's field.
"I was pleased that we ran a more aggressive race this week," said Akron head women's cross country coach David Gramlich. "We asserted ourselves early and came away with a strong showing. We have a lot of work to do before the MAC championships in October, but this was a step in the right direction!"
Zupan placed 18th in 25:19.10, while junior Eric McCabe (Hilliard, Ohio) was next across the line for Akron in 26:12.20 for 41st place. He was followed among the Zips' top five by freshman Samuel Blechman (Bradford Woods, Ohio), redshirt freshman Nick Campbell (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) and freshman Marc Migliozzi (Pittsburgh, Pa.), who finished in 26:27.20 (52nd), 26:27.20 (52nd) and 26:32.60 (56th), respectively.
Redshirt freshman Tevin Brown (Toledo, Ohio) (26:36.50/57th), freshman Nick Stricklen (Lexington, Ohio) (26:37.20/58th) and senior Martin Zegarelli (Erie, Pa.) (28:03.50/94th) filled out the remainder of the field for Akron.
"It was a tough hilly course today which proved to be mentally challenging," Akron head men's cross country coach Lee LaBadie commented. "We definitely could have run better as a team, but Dan (Zupan) ran a solid competitive race. Our next four runners finished close together, but they were too far back to score well. Two were out too fast and the other two were out a little too slow, we have to learn to run smarter as a group."
The Zips return to action on Sept. 30 traveling to Cedarville, Ohio, for the All-Ohio Cross Country Championships.
WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1) Virginia Tech – 20
2) Ohio – 69
3) Liberty – 74
4) Akron – 124
5) East Tennessee State – 127
6) VMI – 185
7) Radford – 194
8) Lynchburg – 207
9) Longwood – 280
MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1) Virginia Tech – 21
2) Liberty – 49
3) Ohio – 63
4) East Tennessee State – 115
5) Akron – 147
6) VMI – 149
7) Lynchburg – 215
8) Radford – 235
9) Longwood – 280
Players Mentioned
