By Tyler Holder
The UNF Men’s and Women’s cross-country teams traveled to Nashville, Tenn. Oct. 29 to compete for the Atlantic Sun conference crown.
Lipscomb just barely beat the UNF women, who were expected to win their race.
Junior Shelby Kittrell led with a time of 18:01.80, and the team finished second with a score of 69. Not far behind Kittrell was senior Erin Nixon (18:05.60) and junior Meggie Emons (18:09.50).
Head coach Mark VanAlstyne said second place disappointed his squad, but it looks to bounce back in the South Region Championships.
At first glance, the men’s fifth place finish seems lacking, but the top five finishing teams all posted scores within 25 points of each other — a tight finish in the world of cross-country.
USC Upstate’s score of 69 won the men’s race. UNF had a score of 94. Upstate’s Gilbert Kemboi dominated, winning his second straight individual title. With a time of 24:27.01, Kemboi posted the fourth-fastest time in A-Sun history.
As for UNF, senior Mike Strasser (25:21.90) was the leading Osprey, finishing seventh in a field of 79. Senior Cameron Dickerson (25:40.61) didn’t let Strasser take all of the glory, placing ninth.
Despite not winning the A-Sun conference this season, both teams will have their chance to make their mark at the NCAA South Region Championships Nov. 12.
Schedule:
Nov. 12 at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
