CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Facing elite competition, WKU cross country put on a fine display at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships on Friday, led by Lindsey Hinken securing a Top 25 finish.
Women's Results | Men's Results
Hinken, who earlier in the day was named to the Conference USA All-Academic team, paced the WKU for the third-consecutive meet as she crossed the finish line at 21:31.2 to secure 22nd. She ended the 2015 season with four Top 25 times, including three-straight to end the year.
As a team, WKU continued its streak of beating regionally-ranked teams as the Lady Toppers outran Richmond (9), Coastal Carolina (14) and Appalachian State (15).
"The group performed well against very elite competition. We continue to make positive strides as a team," said head coach Erik Jenkins.
Senior Katie Lever was the second WKU runner to finish as she posted a time of 21:56.8 to earn a Top 40 placement of 38th. Taylor Carlin followed Lever as the No. 3 racer for the Lady Toppers, completing the course with a time of 22:51.2 to place 85th. Rounding out the WKU lineup were Aleja Grant (23:20.6) and Skyler Green (23:22.2) as the team earned 14th collectively.
All three representatives from the men's team posted new personal records, starting with Endalow Takele with a time of 31:02.3 to finish just outside the Top 50. Aaron Stevens was the second Hilltopper to cross the finish line with a time of 32:01.4, while Julien Cuyeu (33:03.4) was the final WKU runner to finish the regional championship.