Lewisburg, Pa. –– Yet again, Noah Smith and Anna Villavicencio led the American University's men and women's cross country teams at the Patriot League Championship hosted by Bucknell University this Saturday. 
 
The men came in sixth and the women placed ninth at this year's conference meet. 
 
Smith, who led the Eagles all year long did so once again in this high pressure championship environment. He crossed the line in 10th overall with a new personal best of 24:33.5, to earn himself a Second Team All Patriot League honors and his first Patriot League medal. Freshman Marcus Valenzuela ran a great race, battling his way across a slightly long course, to a 23rd overall finish with a personal best of 24:58 at his first conference championship. Crossing the line third for the Eagles was freshmen Jackson Farmer who also ran a personal best of 25:42 placing 44th overall. Rounding out the top five was sophomore Emmett Engelhardt (25:45, 46th) and junior Barak Goldstein (25:50.7, 51st). 
 
"The work definitely paid off for this race," said junior Noah Smith. "I was stuck in no man's land between the top guys and the chase pack for most of the race but was able to fight my way back into the top group. Shoutout to Marcus, breaking 25 for his first time in a big race. We'll keep our heads up as a team leading into regionals in a couple weeks."
 
Freshmen Villavicencio led the Eagles at this year's Patriot League Championship with a 21:58.6 placing 41st overall. Sophomore Shealyn Brochu crossed the line second for the Eagles with a season's best time of 22:16.7. Junior Zoe Rector rounded out the top three with a personal best time of 22:29.7. Senior Estella Miller crossed the line in fourth for the second race in row, with a seasons best of 23:01.9. Rounding out the top five was freshmen Charli McCue stepping up big from an eighth place team finish last time out, with a personal best of 23:05.8. 
 
"It was a tough race, especially with so many factors out of our control," said freshman Anna Villavicencio. "I didn't do quite as well as I had hoped, but it's a good learning experience in preparation for regionals next week. I'm also proud of our whole team for fighting through and giving it our all."
 
On another positive note, freshman Natasha Cohen (23:08.8) and junior Fiona Murphy (23:41.6) placed personal bests while sophomore Charlotte Orr (23:26.7) and junior Kara Langbaum (23:29.2) placed seasons bests. 
 
Coaches' Corner
"Unfortunately, as a team we did not get the job done today," said head coach Sean Graham. "We were confident in our ability to get fourth at least and struggled today to end up sixth.
 
"That's not to say we didn't have some great individual performances though. Noah Smith ran a phenomenal race as our low stick, finishing 10th. He stuck right in the lead two packs and battled really well to earn his first and well deserved PL medal.
 
"Freshman phenom Marcus Valenzuela also had a standout day as our number two in 23rd, the second fastest freshman of the meet and a big PR. Jackson Farmer, another freshman also had a very good day, racing aggressively as our three-man. Coming off a sickness earlier this season, he raced very well in the championship today when we needed him.
 
"Finally, Barak Goldstein ran very strong as our five when we needed him to step up, a massive improvement from him over last year.
 
"Unfortunately, we had a few more guys that are typically in our scoring positions struggle today. That drastically affecting our team score.  And thus, as a team, myself included, we didn't accomplish the goal we set out for today. We'll review what went well, and what caused the inconsistency today together and get back to work for regionals in two weeks.
 
"I'm proud of the women's fight today," said coach Jordyn Pugh. "We had many personal bests or very strong season bests. We had three freshmen step up to be in the top seven being led by the experience of Estella Miller having a season best.
 
"I'm excited about where we will go in the future starting with regionals. Having so many young team members represented at patriot leagues makes me excited for where we have to go."
 
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Men's 8k Results, 6th
10. Noah Smith, 24:33.5
23. Marcus Valenzuela, 24:58
44. Jackson Farmer, 25:42
46. Emmett Engelhardt, 25:45
51. Barak Goldstein, 25:50.7
65. Daniel Messer, 26:01.5
67. Charles Lovett, 26:03.5
71. Brandon Morrow, 26:07
85. Ty Parker, 26:27.4
90. Zack Zerbe, 26:35.2
93. Jaden Frederick, 26:45.6
 
Women's 6k Results, 9th
41. Anna Villavicencio, 21:58.6
54. Shealyn Brochu, 22:16.7
66. Zoe Rector, 22:29.7
79. Estella Miller, 23:01.9
81. Charli McCue, 23:05.8
82. Natasha Cohen, 23:08.8
90. Charlotte Orr, 23:26.7
91. Kara Langbaum, 23:29.2
97. Fiona Murphy, 23:41.6
103. Georgina Chalow, 23:58.2