STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The American University men's and women's cross country teams competed at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships on Friday at Penn State. The team completed their cross country season with strong racing, including all seven AU men running personal bests.
The women placed 27th in the meet. Fifth year
June Mwaniki led the squad in her last race as an Eagle, placing 92nd with a season best of 21:51.9. Freshman
Zoe Rector came in second on the Eagle squad, running a personal best of 22:59.7 to place 153rd. Seniors
Kirah Tianga and
Lucia Ianello completed their cross country careers as scorers, running 23:11.0 and 23:37.6 (163rd and 181st). Junior
Kate Riley rounded out the scoring in 191st with a time of 23:52.4.
On the men's side, the Eagles bounced back from the Patriot League Championships to place 14th in the Mid-Atlantic region, all seven running personal bests in the 10k race. Junior
Kaden Kluth ran a 30-second personal best of 31:16.9 to lead the squad, placing 57th. Freshman
Ty Parker stepped up in his first 10k to place 72nd in 31:35.5. Following Parker were juniors
Carver Morgan and
Cooper Michaud, running personal bests of 31:53.3 and 31:58.9 (89th and 92nd). Freshman
Noah Smith followed closely behind in 97th with a time of 32:01.3 in his first 10k.
COACHES' CORNER
"While there was more than one bright spot in our season finale, the brightest shine belonged once again to
June Mwaniki," said assistant coach
Zach Prescott. "June rounded out a stellar collegiate career that included leading the charge for us on the cross country course for three years, multiple all-time top 10 performances on the track, and leading a team that has had vast improvement in her four and a half years. I am incredibly privileged to have learned so much from June, and to have been able to watch her grow personally, athletically, and as a leader.
"The team will go into the track season sadly without her, but with a massive hunger to prove themselves and continue to build on the fall's successes and lessons. I think we are all ready to reset and start targeting big goals on the track."
"On the women's side we had a good day," said head coach
Sean Graham. "Highlights were undoubtedly two standout performances from
Zoe Rector and once again
June Mwaniki. Zoe had a very strong race and a big PR to be our number two for the day.
June Mwaniki rounded out her collegiate career in phenomenal fashion as she always does. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with her over the last four and a half years and today she finished that career off in style with a season best, leading the team one last time as an Eagle.
On the men's side, we had a much-needed turnaround from the conference championships. Everyone PRed in the 10k today and raced with aggression and confidence.
Kaden Kluth once again led the way with a strong performance as our low stick.
Ty Parker had the race of the day as our number two in his first 10k on the grass of his career. The aggression and confidence of the men was much needed and a strong way to finish off the season with our highest finish in the NCAA regional since 2017."
View the full results
here.
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WOMEN'S RESULTS (27/30)
92.
June Mwaniki, 21:51.9
153.
Zoe Rector, 22:59.7 (PR)
163.
Kirah Tianga, 23:11.0
181.
Lucia Ianello, 23:37.6
191.
Kate Riley, 23:52.4
200.
Annie Ripol 24:10.9
203.
Kara Langbaum, 24:16.3
MEN'S RESULTS (14/27)
57.
Kaden Kluth, 31:16.9 (PR)
72.
Ty Parker, 31:35.5 (PR)
89.
Carver Morgan, 31:53.3 (PR)
92.
Cooper Michaud, 31:58.9 (PR)
97.
Noah Smith, 32:01.3 (PR)
101.
David Manfredi, 32:05.0 (PR)
128.
Daniel Messer, 32:37.8 (PR)
