COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Led by a fifth place finish from Endalow Takele, the WKU Cross Country season opener is in the books. The Hilltoppers traveled to the Tennessee Tech-hosted Golden Eagle Invitational to kick off 2017 competition.
"Tennessee Tech provided us with a quality opportunity for our first cross country meet of the 2017 season," head coach Erik Jenkins shared. "Both our men's and women's squads put up good efforts at today's meet."
Takele finished the men's 6K run with a mark of 19:48.7 for a top-five finish. Julien Cuyeu crossed the line second for the Hilltoppers, coming in at 13th overall with a mark of 20:08.9. Taylor Scarbrough was WKU's third top-20 finisher as he came in at 19th with a time of 20:25.2. Kyle Sprague crossed fourth for the Red and White, earning a reading of 22:00.2 for 31st place while Bryce Swindell rounded out the WKU runners with a time of 22:23.9 in 34th place.
WKU men finished fourth behind Auburn, Tennessee Tech and Mississippi State. Southern Illinois and Tennessee State closed out the six-team field. The Hilltoppers posted an average time of 20:57.38 at the season opener.
MEN'S RESULTS
5. Endalow Takele – 19:48.7
13. Julien Cuyeu – 20:08.9
19. Taylor Scarbrough – 20:25.2
31. Kyle Sprague – 22:00.2
34. Bryce Swindell – 22:23.0
On the women's side, WKU saw three more top-25 finishes. Ames led the way in 20th with a time of 21:23.0 in the women's 5K race. Brianna Wolken clocked a 22:33.3 reading to secure 24th place while Morgan Kannapel was the next finisher in 25th with a time of 23:01.2. Aairiona Hayden-Ransom was the fourth runner from The Hill to cross, finishing in 30th with a time of 25:37.0. Ariel Terrell rounded out the standings for the Lady Toppers with a time of 28:17.2 in 35th.
The Lady Toppers picked up a dual victory over Tennessee State, finishing fourth overall. Mississippi State, Auburn and Southern Illinois collected the top three spots. WKU finished with an average race time of 24:10.34.
WOMEN'S RESULTS
20. Savannah Ames – 21:23.0
24. Brianna Wolken – 22:33.3
25. Morgan Kannapel – 23:01.2
30. Aairiona Hayden-Ransom – 25:37.0
35. Ariel Terrell – 28:17.2
WKU Cross Country will return to action in a couple weekends at the Commodore Classic in Nashville on Sept. 16.
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