RESULTS
HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - To conclude the regular season, the USCB men's and women's cross country teams hosted the second annual NAIA Southern States Challenge on Saturday morning, as the Sand Sharks competed against tough competition at Sergeant Jasper Park.
MEN'S RESULTS
Reigning Sun Conference Runner of the Week Jacob Mitchell was strong on Saturday morning. The rookie distance runner finished 22nd out of 141 runners in the 8k event. He posted an eye-popping 26:27.8, which set a new personal record. His previous-best time was 26:46.0 at the Queen City Invite earlier this season.
Finishing in 40th place was senior Tewodros Eckstein, as he clocked a 27:03.7. The mark was his second-fastest time this season.
Jay King was the third-fastest Sand Shark at the second-annual Southern States Challenge, as he placed 79th. The sophomore clocked a 28:53.6 (a new personal best).
Sam Williams finished inside the top 100 (91st), and he penciled a 29:32.4.
Freshman Eli Smith (104th place) ran a 30:29.8 (personal best), and Travis Patten (112th) clocked a 31:04.0 to round out the results for the Sand Sharks.
WOMEN'S RESULTS
Rookie Cydney Stevenson led the Sand Sharks on the women's side (5k race). The Travelers Rest, S.C. native finished 67th out of 121 with a time of 21:18.8. The mark was just over 11 seconds away from matching a personal record.
Just four spots behind Stevenson was Jenitza Trinidad - the reigning Women's Sun Conference Runner of the Week. The senior from Cidra, Puerto Rico finished 71st at 21:24.4.
Finishing in 81st was junior Riley Edwards with a mark of 22:18.8.
Running in her final regular season meet of her collegiate career, Sarahna Herndon posted a strong time of 23:16.4. She placed 93rd.
Oriana Hernandez rounded out the marks at 112th (25:22.8).
WHAT'S NEXT?
After back-to-back weekends of running, both Sand Shark teams will rest and prepare for the The Sun Conference Championships on Nov. 6 in Lakeland, Fla.
