Tech cross country teams deliver strong results at Live in Lou Classic
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Tennessee Tech men's and women's cross country teams delivered a slew of strong showings at the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic Saturday morning, wrapping up the third event of the season for both programs.
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Tennessee Tech men's and women's cross country teams delivered a slew of strong showings at the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic Saturday morning, wrapping up the third event of the season for both programs.
On the men's side, the Golden Eagles finished 25th among a field of 36 teams, totaling 599 points. Six of Tech's seven competitors produced lifetime bests, led by sophomore Dominic Smith with a time of 24:37.3. It marked the 16th fastest time in the 8K in program history.
Finishing second for the purple and gold, freshman Miceal McCaul turned in a showing of 24:48.2, ranking 22nd in team history in the 8K. Next up on the leaderboard for Tech, senior Ababu Mohamed clocked in at 25:12.0, the veteran's best finish of the season.
Returners Chase Faudi and Clayton Kirkus each completed the course at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park with personal best times of 25:31.2 and 25.43.2, respectively. Rounding out the day were freshmen Nick Beattie (26:57.9) and Robert Dawson (27:17.7), each posting their own personal records in the 8K.
"The men's team average was so impressive today," Tech head coach Peter Dalton explained, "with the scoring five guys all fully committed and all-in."
The Golden Eagle women wrapped up the day 26th among a hefty field of 44 teams, finishing with 716 points overall. For the first time in her young Tech career, Helen Pacurariu-Nagy led the purple and gold while compiling her fastest time of the year. Clocking in at 18:06.0, the sophomore also produced the 23rd quickest time in the 5K in program history.
Each of Tech's next four finishers finished within 15 seconds of each other, with returning freshman Amanda Laboy leading the group with a time of 18:30.4. Less than five second back was rookie Ruby Wyles, finishing at 18:34.9.
Sophomore Rahab Sawe was the next Golden Eagle across the line, delivering a time of 18:39.1. Right behind her on the final leaderboard was junior Tina Cesnik, completing the course in a time of 18:45.7. Finishing the group for the purple and gold were sophomore Katharina Schmidt and freshman Emma Bradford, posting times of 19:11.4 and 19:46.3, respectively.
"The ladies pack is so strong and so supportive of one another," Dalton said, "and their efforts are starting to show. There's another step for both squads, but we are quietly confident with where we are as we step into championship month."
Up Next
Tech returns to Cookeville to host the Golden Eagle Invitational at the Putnam County Sports Complex on Friday, Oct. 15. The women's 5K is slated to start at 3:00 p.m. CT
Photos by TTU Track & Field
