The Slippery Rock University men’s and women’s Cross Country team dominated last weekend at the SRU Invitational. Both teams took first place in the Invitational, each finishing with at least four runners in the top-10.
Senior Morgan Elliott led the men’s squad finishing first overall with a time of 26:37.
The team won the invitational with a dominating performance, finishing with mere 16 points. Robert Morris finished in second with 51 points, and Thiel took third with 93 points.
The men’s team top four runner’s also placed in the top four overall positions. Senior Alex Koksal finished second overall with a time of 26:56, senior Michael Beegle in third with 27:08, and sophomore Ryan Thompson in fourth with 27:19.
Freshman Ryan McGuire finished sixth overall at 27:38, junior Chris Grooms seventh at 27:42, and junior Theo Reynolds ninth at 27:55 to round out the Rock runners.
Freshman standout Sarah Wirth finished the fastest time for the women’s team with a second place overall finish, with a time of 24:13.
Four placed in the top ten of the women’s race, which helped SRU secure the team victory with 36 points. Robert Morris finished second with 58 points and Clarion took third with 68 points.
“This weekend was a pretty big confidence booster for our teams,” Elliott said. “It really nice to see our lower classmen step up in this race. It’s great to know that we feel a lot better as a team than we did before.”
Head Coach John Papa was thrilled with both of his team’s performances, and is even more excited heading into the PSAC Championships next weekend at Kutztown University.
“Cross Country is such a great team sport, and our athletes understand that,” explains Papa. “The PSAC’s will mentally prepare us heading into the Atlantic Regionals at Lock Haven. Both the men’s and women’s teams have what it takes to compete and finish in the top three for a trip to Spokane, Washington for the National race.”
The teams will rest this weekend before competing at the PSAC Championships on October 26.
