Akron Cross Country Shines at Joe Piane XC Invitational

Friday, September 29

Notre Dame, Ind.

11:15 AM

University of Akron

Joe Piane Cross Country Invitational

Akron Cross Country Shines at Joe Piane XC Invitational

September 29 | Cross Country

MEN'S FINAL RESULTS (PDF) | WOMEN'S FINAL RESULTS (PDF)

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Akron cross country squads led by freshmen Brian Masai (Kitale, Kenya) and Mary Munga (Nyandarua, Kenya) turned in stellar performances for the Zips at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational hosted by Notre Dame on Friday (Sept. 29).

For the third consecutive race Masai was Akron's top finisher crossing the line in the men's blue five-mile race in 23:22.9 to lead the Zips to a seventh-place team finish, including edging Power Five squads from Washington State, Pittsburgh, Kansas and Iowa.

Munga captured the women's gold 5,000-meter title in a career-best time of 17:02.9 to lead Akron to the team title in the 19-team field on the strength of seven career-best efforts.

Freshman Timothy Chesondin (Eldorat, Kenya) added a top-10 performance for the men placing seventh in a time of 23:28.3, while freshman Titus Kirui (Eldorat, Kenya) crossed the line in 23:59.0 to finish 22nd.

Rounding out Akron's scoring efforts with times of 24:42.4 and 25:30.1, respectively, was redshirt senior Chase Easterling (Mt. Orab, Ohio) and freshman Zayd Elkurd (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio).

Additionally, junior Kyle Stober (Mogadore, Ohio), sophomore Anthony Nichols (Silver Lake, Ohio) and freshmen Majid Abuaun (Rocky River, Ohio) crossed the line in times of 25:51.1, 27:05.0 and 27:50.4, respectively.

Freshman Megan Hipple (Warren, Ohio) was next across the line for Akron in the women's race in a career-best time of 17:50.8 to place 14th.

Rounding out the Zips' scoring efforts were juniors Halle Sebest (Poland, Ohio) and Danielle Honaker (Ashland, Ohio) and freshman Kayla Gonzales (Shelby, Ohio), who crossed the line in 17:55.4, 18:07.0 and 18:30.1, respectively.

Additionally, redshirt junior Makenna Heimlich (Shelby, Ohio), freshman Lauren LaRue (Oregon, Ohio), junior Grace Henderson (Rostraver Township, Pa.) and redshirt sophomore Emily Razo (Salem, Ohio) finished in times of 18:48.7, 19:14.7, 19:41.0 and 20:16.7.

The Zips continue their campaign traveling to Bowling Green, Ohio, for Falcon Invitational on Oct. 13.

AKRON MEN'S RESULTS: Brian Masai (4th-23:22.9), Timothy Chesondin (7th-23:28.3), Titus Kirui (22nd-23:59.0), Chase Easterling (73rd-24:42.4), Zayd Elkurd (124th-25:30.1), Kyle Stober (135th-25:51.1), Anthony Nichols (146th-27:05.0), Majid Abuaun (147th-27:50.4)

AKRON MEN'S OPEN RESULTS: Ian Deeter (69th-27:59.5), Jean Dieuvil (DNF)

AKRON WOMEN'S RESULTS: Mary Munga (1st-17:02.9*), Megan Hipple (14th-17:50.8*), Halle Sebest (18th-17:55.4*), Danielle Honaker (32nd-18:07.0), Kayla Gonzales (50th-18:30.1*), Makenna Heimlich (68th-18:48.7*), Lauren LaRue (99th-19:14.7*), Grace Henderson (116th-19:41.0), Emily Razo (137th-20:16.7*)

* denotes career-best time