THE BRONX, N.Y. – In their last meet before the Patriot League Championships (Nov. 2), the Eagles of the American University cross country team competed in the ECAC (women) and IC4A (men) Championships in Van Cortlandt Park. On the fast course, junior Kaden Kluth snagged a top 10 finish in the 261-person 8k race, while many AU runners on the women's side came away with new personal bests in the 6k.

The women placed 17th in the ECAC Championship and were again led by graduate student June Mwaniki, who competed strongly to finish in a season best of 22:00.6 (40th). Senior Lucia Ianello had a breakout race in 23:01.1 (91st), shaving almost a minute off her personal best set at the ECU Invite on Oct. 4. Third for the Eagles was junior Sophia Staiger in 23:08.8, also a personal best. Freshman Zoe Rector got another top five finish and another personal best time, crossing the line in 23:12.3 (101st). Junior Kate Riley rounded out the scoring for the Eagles in 117th with a time of 23:24.3. Four more Eagles on the women's side ran personal bests.

On the men's side, the Eagles placed sixth in the 24-team field. Following Kluth, who came in sixth place individually, Carver Morgan ran a time of 24:59.3 to place 18th. Freshman Noah Smith placed 29th with a time of 25:11.4, followed by junior Cooper Michaud in 25:28.0 (42nd). Rounding out the scoring was sophomore David Manfredi, stepping up with a new personal best of 25:48.1.

COACHES' CORNER
"Today wasn't our best day on either side," said head coach Sean Graham. "We did have a number of bright spots, but on a whole we're better than how we performed today.

"On the women's side, June Mwaniki continues to move forward in her pursuit of post season success, with a season best today to lead the team. Luci rebounded very well after a challenging race last time out, and Sophia and Zoe also had strong performances.

"On the men's side, Kaden and Carver led the way with good races but there's more in the tank for both of them. Freshman Noah Smith had a very good race as our number three. David Manfredi performed well as our fifth man today. He's worked very hard this year to get back up in the mix and did so on a day we needed it.

"Beyond that we let some sickness and challenges get the best of us. Nothing that can't be resolved for the championship season on both sides, but we were just looking for a better outcome today and let it slip a little. We've got two weeks to put the final pieces back in place as we prepare to attack the Patriot League championships in Lafayette."

View the full results here.

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WOMEN'S RESULTS (17/20)
40. June Mwaniki, 22:00.6
91. Lucia Ianello, 23:01.1 (PR)
98. Sophia Staiger, 23:08.8 (PR)
101. Zoe Rector, 23:12.3 (PR)
117. Kate Riley, 23:24.3
127. Annie Ripol, 23:33.4 (PR)
137. Kara Langbaum, 23:42.0 (PR)
142. Kirah Tianga, 23:46.7
204. Fiona Murphy, 24:53.0 (PR)
207. Scarlett Lestina, 24:55.1 (PR)
210. Skyler Tatum, 25:00.2
230. Catherine Hany, 26:06.6
246. Hannah Puckett, 27:31.0

MEN'S RESULTS (6/24)
6. Kaden Kluth, 24:42.1
18. Carver Morgan, 24:59.3
29. Noah Smith, 25:11.4
42. Cooper Michaud, 25:28.0
71. David Manfredi, 25:48.1 (PR)
81. Ty Parker, 25:56.4
87. Daniel Messer, 26:00.4
112. Jaden Frederick, 26:15.03
132. Danny O'Neill, 26:28.0
152. Barak Goldstein, 26:38.3
155. Zack Zerbe, 26:40.6
175. Hayden Hauser, 26:55.4