By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech cross country teams put a cap on the 2022 season Friday morning, competing at the John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala. for the NCAA South Regional Championships.
The Golden Eagle men's squad highlighted the day, finishing 17th out of 22 teams across the region in the 10K, the first time the team competed in a race other than an 8K this season. The purple and gold totaled 450 points overall. The women's team finished 28th among 32 teams, posting 733 points.
For the men, it was junior Dominic Smith pacing the effort for the purple and gold, clocking in with a time of 31:29.20. He placed 66th among the 180 finishers. Sophomore Miceal McCaul was right behind his teammate ranking 72nd with a personal-record time of 31:34.90 for the 10K.
Not too far behind the duo, Samuel Goodchild turned in a time of 32:10.50 in his first attempt at a 10K in collegiate action. He finished 102nd among the competitors. Chase Faudi was next to cross the finish line for the Golden Eagles, delivering a time of 33:06.30. Rounding out the scoring for Tech was Clayton Kirkus, clocking in at 33:15.80.
The women were led again by Ruby Wyles, constructing a 6K time of 21:52.90 for a personal-best mark. She finished 97th among 228 runners. Next up for the Golden Eagles was Helen Pacurariu-Nagy, posting a time of 22:00.20 to place 112th overall.
Rahab Sawe was the third Tech runner to cross the finish line at 22:54.10, followed by a pair of personal records for two Golden Eagles. Maddie Long earned her PR with a finish of 23:06.80 while Kendall Johnson posted her career-best showing with a time of 23:58.70.
Photo of men's team by TTU Track & Field / File photo of Ruby Wyles by Emily Armstrong