Hawk Men Dominate on Home Turf at UMES Lid-Lifter
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — It was a day like no other for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) cross country team on Saturday morning as the men’s team took home a first place finish with 15 total points. All top five finishers were Hawks in the victory. The women’s team also fared well with 57 team points and a second place finish.
The men’s team was led by sophomore Khalil Rmidi Kinnini (Malaga, Spain) who won the event with a record-setting time of 15:47.63, breaking the old mark set by Morgan State’s Christian Smooth in 2012 by more than a minute. Two freshmen, a sophomore and a junior round out the top five, with Nelson Kimutai (Eldoret, Kenya) finishing second at 16:13.93, Derrick Cheruiyot (Nairobi, Kenya) taking third at 16:37.86, and Eldoret natives Mark Tuwei and Stanley Meti brought home fourth and fifth, respectively, with times of 16:46.48 and 16:58.39.
Sophomores Michael Johnson (Ramstein AFB, Germany) and Taj Showalter (Anchorage, Alaska) also ran for the Hawks in the race. Johnson earned a 16th place finish and time of 19:23.38 and Showalter’s time of 21:51.35 placed him 24th.
The win marks the first time the Hawks have won the UMES Lid-Lifter since 2012, and their first overall win since the Farm Run Invitational in October 2013. In addition, the sweep of the top five positions marks the first time in the history of the Lid-Lifter that has occurred, as well as the first time during the coaching tenure of head coach Ernest Barrett.
London leads Coppin State to second place finish at UMES Lid Lifter
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – The Coppin State men’s cross-country team opened its 2014 season by finishing second overall with 53 points at the Lid-Lifter Invitational hosted by Maryland Eastern Shore Saturday morning.
In addition to placing behind UMES (15 points) and ahead of Morgan State (66), Delaware State (101) and Norfolk State (124), the Eagles also had three runners finish among the top ten. Coppin State’s top finisher on the partly cloudy and humid morning was Mark London, who completed the 5K course in a time of 17 minutes, 20.08 seconds. London finished sixth overall. This was London’s first cross-country meet as an Eagle.
Alaric Coker was eighth overall in a time of 17:48.01 for the Eagles. He was Coppin State’s highest returning finisher from last year’s MEAC championship meet. Freshman Fabian Hayles enjoyed a strong debut for the Eagles, crossing the finish line in 18:09.80, which was ninth overall.
Other scorers for Coppin State were Michael James, who was 12th overall (19:41.71) and Delroy Davis, who was 18th (20:01.77).
For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com
Hunt, Coward Top NCCU in Eagle/Aggie Cross Country Classic
DURHAM, N.C. – Syrita Hunt and Greg Coward topped the North Carolina Central University women’s and men’s cross country teams, respectively, in the season-opening Eagle/Aggie Cross County Classic on Saturday morning at the Al Buehler Trail in Durham, N.C.
In spite of their efforts, the visiting Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University swept the team competition in the head-to-head meet.
Hunt was the first Lady Eagle to cross the finish line, placing sixth with a time of 25 minutes, 30.58 seconds on the 5k-course. NCCU took the next four places with Shania Nicely in seventh (26:31.50), Christa Landy in eighth (27:18.93), Darlene Girardeau in ninth (30:08.97) and Lovasia Thomas in 10th (30:19.08).
NC A&T’s Miranda Green won the women’s race with a time of 21:07.65.
For complete story, visit www.ncataggies.com
Evans Paces Spartan Men at Lid-Lifter Invitational
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Sophomore Michael Evans led the NSU men's cross country team with a 10th-place finish at the Lid-Lifter Invitational hosted by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday morning.
Evans finished the 5,000-meter course in 18 minutes, 21.55 seconds. He paced a group of mostly sprinters who competed for the Spartans at UMES while most of the team's top distance runners had the week off.
Ryan Turner placed 28th overall, Xavier Collins 30th, Jamarian Bates 31st and Steve Coles 32nd for the Spartans.
The Spartans race next Saturday at the Tribe Invitational hosted by the College of William & Mary.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com
Men for DSU Turn in Solid Outings in Lid-Lifter Invitational in Season Opener
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Over the weekend, the Delaware State cross country program opened its 2014 campaign with the Lid-Lifter Invitational, hosted by the UMES Hawks with the men (101 points) placing fourth.
Competing against fellow MEAC foes UMES, Coppin State, and Morgan State, the Hornets’ highest finisher on the men’s side was Preston DeMarreau coming in 15th (19:10.90). The next best finisher for the Hornets was sophomore Michael Cummings (19:50.07) as he crossed the finish line in 17th.
Team wise, UMES (15 points) took home the crown with five runners placing in the top five, led by Khalil Kinnini Rmidi (15:47.63).
Coming up, Delaware State will host its first meet of the season next Saturday with the Hornet Invitational (10 a.m.).
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com
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