FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Abilene Christian ended the cross country season with a strong finish at the NCAA South Central Regional on Friday, finishing 15
th in the men's race and 19
th in the women's.
The Wildcats battled lingering sickness that plagued them during the conference championships and looked stronger.
Kevin Castruita, as he has done all season, led the Wildcats. He finished 28
th at 30:36.2 in the 10-kilometer run.
Gabe Embree was 84
th at 32:12.4 and
O'Brien Verdin placed 89
th at 32:24.2
Mikhail Fortner was 92
nd at 32:27 and
Samuel Lanham closed out the scoring five for ACU in 106
th at 32:48.7
"Really happy with how the team ran," said ACU cross country coach
Nathan Meeuwenberg. "We had some sickness that we overcame. We were unranked within the region and finished 15th. We're going to keep building for the future but I am proud of these guys."
Zach Martin finished 125
th at 33:07 and
Garrison Shindler was 152
nd.
The ACU men finished with 399 points and ahead of 10 other teams, including Baylor, Stephen F. Austin and UTRGV.
The ACU women were 19
th at 521 and ahead of five other teams.
Katelyn Coldicott led the Wildcats in 74
th at 22:33.5 on the six-kilometer course.
Peyton Bornstein was 103
rd at 23:09.9 and
Bella Evans came in at 23:18.2 for 108
th.
Kate Williams finished in 11
th at 23:19.6 and
Tessa Holderman rounded out the scoring in 125
th at 23:40.5.
Autumn Smith was 146
th at 23:47.1 and
Kate Hansen placed 165
th at 24:51.6
"This was a good learning experience for the women's team," said Meeuwenberg. "We return everyone. The experience will serve us well going forward."
Men's Results
ACU: 15
th, 399 points
28.
Kevin Castruita, 30:36.2
84.
Gabe Embree, 32:12.4
89.
O'Brien Verdin, 32:24.2
92.
Mikhail Fortner, 32:27.0
106.
Samuel Lanham, 32:48.7
Women's Results
ACU: 19
th, 521 points
74.
Katelyn Coldicott, 22:33.5
103.
Peyton Bornstein, 23:09.9
108.
Bella Evans, 23:18.2
111.
Kate Williams, 23:19.6
125
Tessa Holderman, 23:40.5
