The Union men’s and women’s cross country teams took part in the Rhodes College Invitational last weekend in Memphis, finishing 10th and seventh respectively in the overall standings.
The men posted a team time of 2:13:34, and the women posted a 1:54:41. The Union men’s top individual runner was Cornelius Kipchumba, sophomore business major, with a time of 26:04.5. The Union women’s top individual runner was freshman Chloe Veilleux, posting a time of 22:28.
“Success in cross country can be measured in a couple of ways,” said Gary Johnson, chair of physical education department and cross country coach. “You can relay your times or look at how you placed. I thought it was a good opener. The girls were the top finishing Division II team, and the guys were behind Mississippi College, which is one of the better teams in our conference.”
Although both teams placed lower in the standings than last year’s race, the individual runners’ and teams’ times were significantly better than in 2018.
“This year, the race had a lot more Division I teams,” Johnson said. “So we actually placed lower, but we ran faster. The guys’ team actually ran one of the best races we’ve ever run. I think ultimately for both of our teams, guys’ and girls’, the highest goal is to make Nationals, which is a regional race in November.”
Coach Johnson’s runners are as encouraged as he is moving into the heart of the season.
“Everyone is putting the work in,” said freshman Sydnee Meadows. “Our team average was much better than last year, so it seems promising.”
The next stop for the two teams will be the Alabama Huntsville Invitational on Sept. 28. They will attend the Gulf South Conference Championships in Montevallo, Alabama on Oct. 26.
For more information on Union’s men’s and women’s cross country teams, please visit uuathletics.com.