EARLYSVILLE, Va. - Led by a personal-best five-mile time by junior Josef Tessema the Norfolk State men's cross country team took first place at the Lou Onesty Invitational hosted by the University of Virginia on Friday evening.

Tessema took the individual title with a PR of 25 minutes, 3.25 seconds. Four other Spartans finished in the top 10 to help NSU pace the five-team field which included 22nd-ranked Virginia.

Sophomore Vincent Rono the reigning MEAC Athlete of the Week, was the next-highest Spartan finisher. Despite running roughly 50 meters off course at one point, Rono backtracked and took fifth place in 25:24.91. Junior Amos Kipkosgei was right behind, placing sixth in 25:34.65.

For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com

UMES Cross Country Sweeps Delaware State Open

SMYRNA, DEL. - Junior Cynthia Anais finished first in the Delaware State Open as Maryland Eastern Shore men's and women's cross country teams swept the event Saturday morning at the DSU Farm.

Anais ran a 20:20.53 and led the women's squad to a first place finish of 20 points.

Senior Eunice Jones, sophomore Emilie Ducados and senior Jessica Abrantes finished in third, fourth and fifth places with respective times of 21:16.19, 21:34.72 and 21:35.38.

Junior Melina Gallas crossed in 22:16.88, which was good for tenth place.

The men's team also finished first on the day with 48 points.  The Hawks were led once again by sophomore Basil Melek, who was second overall with a time of 15:45.60.

Senior Amon Kiprotich finished third in 16:27.12. Fellow senior Peter Sang crossed in 16:41.79, which was good for eighth while junior Shadrack Maritim was tenth in 16:42.72.

For the complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com

Rutto Paces Spartan Women at U.Va.

EARLYSVILLE, Va. - Sophomore Kellen Rutto paced the Norfolk State women's cross country team for the second week in a row, taking home a 12th-place finish at the Lou Onesty Invitational hosted by the University of Virginia on Friday evening.

The Spartans finished fourth in the five-team field with a total of 102 team points.

Rutto finished 12, earning 10 team points, in a time of 19:47.15 on the 3.1-mile course. Senior Jennifer Chichester was second among the Spartans in 20:02.26, good for 18th place. Rounding out the Spartans' top five were junior Syeeda Gee in 28th place (21:08.40), Jamia Hutto in 33rd, and sophomore Mercy Koech in 36th place (22:59.33).

For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com

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