By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was another successful weekend at work for the Tennessee Tech cross country teams, as the Golden Eagles turned in a pair of top-10 showings at the Live in Lou Classic Saturday morning in Louisville, Ky.
The men's team provided the top headline on the day, placing an impressive fourth among 45 competitors in the men's blue 8K race, accumulating 263 points. For the purple and gold, it was a pair of familiar faces leading the pack with top-25 performances.
Paving the way with a 10-place showing was sophomore Miceal McCaul, clocking in with a time of 24:32.4 to set a new personal-best record for the 8K. It marked his third time leading the Golden Eagles this season in as many races.
Finishing 22nd overall was junior Dominic Smith, racing to a season-best finish of 24:48.7 to secure some valuable points. Sophomore Chase Faudi secured a new PR in the event with a time of 25:12.7, as did fellow sophomore Samuel Goodchild, posting a time of 25:31.4.
Also establishing a new career mark in the event, Nick Beattie delivered a time of 26:13.7. Joining the PR squad as well, Carter Bradford established his with a time of 26:13.9 while Isaac Legault finished with a 27:08.6.
"The men took a big step in the right direction today," Tech head coach Peter Dalton said. "We still have some things to tweak, but overall, the men are progressing nicely."
The Golden Eagle women completed the blue 5K with an eighth-place display among 47 teams, compiling 363 points.
Turning in the top performance for the women was junior Helen Pacurariu-Nagy, placing 45th with a time of 18:39.3. Sophomore Maddie Long enjoyed a huge day at the course, exploding for a new PR of 19:08.9, nearly 20 seconds faster than her previous career-best performance in the 5K.
The Tech squads will compete next at the Chattanooga Invitational in Chattanooga, Tenn. The meet will be hosted by Chattanooga on Friday, Oct. 14.
File photos by Thomas Corhern