On a humid Friday morning in Foley, Alabama, the Troy cross country teams competed in the Sun Belt Conference Championship meet. The men’s team finished in ninth, while the women’s team came in 10th place.
“I think both of our youthful teams learned some valuable lessons about racing in this conference,” said head coach Brian Cunningham in an interview with Troy Athletics. “They learned lessons they will take to heart as they continue their careers.”
Makenna Calbert, who was racing for just the second time this season, led the women’s team with an 18:42.49 5K. She finished in 30th place.
Alexiana Hinote and Reece Knowlton were second and third for the Trojans on the women’s side, finishing in 58th and 70th place. Hinote ran a 19:22.26 5K and Knowlton ran a 19:49.58.
Junior Aisley McMeen set a personal best, running a 20:07.97 5K to set her high-water mark. She slotted in at 76th place.
“I’m really happy for Aisley, who ran a personal record, and Makenna, who ran her second-fastest 5K despite some brutally humid conditions,” Cunningham said to Troy Athletics. “We had several second-best season performances, which says good things about fitness levels, given the weather.”
The Trojan men finished last in the event, with three runners unable to finish the 8K. However, Keith Warner, Caden Blackman, Patterson Graham, Gavan Baxley and Zane McPeters crossed the finish line.
Warner led the team, running the 8K in 26:55.60 and placing 41st. Blackman placed 53rd with a time of 27:51.70.
Graham and Baxley were close behind, finishing in 60th and 62nd, respectively. The pair were within a few seconds of each other, clocking in at 28:15.40 and 28:21.70.
Troy’s cross country teams are set to travel back to Tallahassee, Florida, for the NCAA South Regional Championship on Nov. 15.
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