Abilene Christian
Gans Creek Classic
Villa breaks Div. I 8K record, places Top 35 in Gans Creek Classic
9/27/2024 9:53:00 AM | Cross Country
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Wildcats competed at the prestigious Gans Creek Classic hosted by the University of Missouri, facing off against some of the best cross-country programs in the nation. The meet featured four nationally ranked teams and a combined 42 regionally ranked programs.
ACU's performance was highlighted by freshman Andruw Villa, who set a new Div. I school record in the men's 8k. Villa's time of 23:56.1 was the first time that a Wildcat has broken 24 flat during the D-1 era.
The previous top-three from the Div. I ear was Levi Chambers at 24:01, Kevin Kipkosgei at 24:08 and Denis Lagat at 24:08. Villa's time would have placed him 8th in the WAC Championships last year.
Villa was not the only one who shined at the Gans Creek Classic, with the meet being filled with solid team efforts from both the men's and women's squads.
WOMEN'S
In the women's 6k race, ACU was led by its talented freshmen class, who performed strongly against an elite field. Hannah Kasper was the top finisher for the Wildcats, placing 159th overall with a time of 22:23.1. Kasper's consistent pace throughout the race positioned her well against tough competition, and her finishing time reflects the promise she has shown as a freshman.
Close behind Kasper was fellow freshman Audrey Chitwood, who clocked in at 22:24.5 to place 161st.
Peyton Bornstein, a junior, was ACU's third finisher, crossing the line in 176th place at 22:36.2.
Senior Katelyn Coldicott followed Bornstein, finishing in 198th place at 22:50.8.
Alyssa Quinones and Kate Williams finished close together, with Quinones running 23:12.1 to place 227th, while Williams finished at 23:16.9 in 230th place.
Freshman Kyla Fuller rounded out the Wildcats' performance, crossing the line in 24:01.6 to finish 249th. Fuller's first major meet provided valuable experience, as she looks to continue improving throughout the season.
The women's team finished 33rd overall with 921 points.
MEN'S
Freshman Andruw Villa led the Wildcats with a standout performance, finishing 31st overall at 23:56.1, breaking the ACU record for the 8k on the Gans Creek course. Villa's race was defined by his consistency and strong finishing kick. He steadily moved up in the pack, starting in 36th at the 1000m mark and climbing to 28th by the 7000m mark, before finishing in 31st overall with a final split of 3:01.9/km. Villa's race not only showcased his talent but also set a high standard for the program moving forward.
Beyond Villa's record-breaking effort, the rest of the ACU men's team displayed strong depth and consistency. Mikhail Fortner (SO), Mark Barajas (FR), and Jacob Russell (SO) formed a tight pack, all finishing within a second of each other. Fortner and Barajas clocked 25:28.8, securing 179th and 180th places, while Russell crossed the line at 25:28.9 for 181st.
Following closely behind, Zachary Martin (SO) finished with a time of 25:29.8, placing 182nd overall. His steady splits helped ACU maintain a competitive presence in the crowded field.
Freshman Carlos Cortez added to the Wildcats' depth, running 26:02.5 to finish 214th, just outside of the scoring group.
Newcomer Ethan Rodriguez finished ACU, ending with 26:51.4 in 239th place.
Players Mentioned
