BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The American University cross country program was back in action this Saturday when it took to the course at the prestigious Paul Short Run hosted by Lehigh University. The men's team participated in the College Gold 8000m and Open 8000m events, while the women were on the line for the College Brown 6000m and Open 6000m races.
The Eagles had two weeks off to train and will now turn their attention to Championship season, prepping for the ECAC/IC4A Championships on October 13.
QUOTES FROM COACH GRAHAM
"The women had a good showing today at Paul Short.
Kate Riley led the way with an impressive return to competition after sickness hampered her for the last week. In the Brown race, June led the way with aggressive running against stiff competition. Callia also had a gutsy race, putting herself in aggressive positions in the race. Overall, they took another good step as we progress into the main racing portion of the season.
"The men unfortunately had a less than impressive day. We didn't put ourselves in positions to succeed early on in the races, and at a competition this large that is very hard to come back from."
WOMEN
- June Mwaniki, for the ninth time in a row, and 11th time overall, led the Eagles squad on the women's side in the women's Brown 6000m race. The senior finished in 37th place overall in the field with a finish of 22:38.5
- Classmate Callia Cordasco was the second AU finisher of the women's College Brown 6K. Cordasco has not run since the season opener on September 2, having missed the Navy XC Invite on September 9. The senior came 130th overall at 23:35.9.
- First-year Amy O'Connell continues to impress, coming in third for AU for the second meet in a row. O'Connell beat her previous personal best, recorded at the Navy XC Invite, by over 40 seconds.
- Sophomore Hannah Schwab was close behind, just seven seconds, and came in fourth for the Eagles, 141st overall. Graduate student Rachael Potter rounded out the top five for the Eagles on the women's side.
- There were two more PRs recorded by American in the 6K. Brooke Evans, in her first season competing with the cross country team set a 55 second personal best when she came in at 24:34.1.
- Then, Kirah Tianga came across the line with an impressive best of 25:13.0, which beat her previous best by one minute and 45 seconds.
MEN
- For the second time in two meets, and the second time in his American cross country career, sophomore Kaden Kluth led the pack for the Eagles in the College Men's Gold 8000m event. The first 8k of the Eagles' season. Kluth came in 139 overall in a field of 392 competitors.
- Row Sullivan was the second place finisher again this week for AU, 213 overall in the field, with their time of 25:44.5.
- In third place for the Eagles, sophomore Cooper Michaud stepped across the line with an 8k PR of one minute and 20 seconds PR. Michaud earned his previous personal best at the Paul Short Run exactly one year ago to the day.
- In his second race of the season and finishing fourth for American, was senior Sean Stuck, only five seconds behind Michaud.
- Rounding out the top five for the Eagles was first-year David Manfredi. The freshman finished in 26:11.6 in his first collegiate 8k race.
- To complete the field for American, graduate students Nathan Reeves and Tucker Zullo finished sixth and eighth for the Eagles, while sophomore Carver Morgan split them to come in seventh.
WOMEN'S COLLEGE BROWN 6K RESULTS
37.
June Mwaniki, 22:38.5
130.
Callia Cordasco, 23:35.9
141. Amy O'Connell, 23:41.2 (PR)
156.
Hannah Schwab, 23:48.7
190.
Rachael Potter, 24:13.4
205.
Lucia Ianello, 24:20.1
218. Brooke Evans, 24:34.1 (PR)
233.
Estella Miller, 24:43.9
265. Kirah Tianga, 25:13.0 (PR)
WOMEN'S COLLEGE OPEN 6K RESULTS
79.
Kate Riley, 23:44.6
131.
Skyler Tatum, 24:22.4
175.
Annie Ripol, 25:02.6
186.
Hannah Puckett, 25:10.2
207.
Sophia Staiger, 25:39.2
222.
Cassandra Daniele, 25:55.4
248.
Scarlett Lestina, 26:27.6
MEN'S COLLEGE GOLD 8K RESULTS
139.
Kaden Kluth, 25:17.9
213.
Row Sullivan, 25.44.5
228. Cooper Michaud, 25:50.3 (PR)
236.
Sean Stuck, 25:55.7
281.
David Manfredi, 26:11.6
317.
Nathan Reeves, 26:31.3
345.
Carver Morgan, 26:49.7
375.
Tucker Zullo, 28:02.0
MEN'S COLLEGE OPEN 8K RESULTS
147.
Ethan Puc, 26:37.8
165.
Oscar Counsell, 26:47.8
192.
Hayden Hauser, 27:00.5
323.
Jack Chandler, 28:10.2
NEXT UP
- The Eagles will return to action in two weeks' time on Friday, October 13 in the Bronx at the ECAC/IC4A Championships.
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