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MURRAY, Ky. – Junior Purity Murray paced the team Saturday at the OVC Championships, and three Golden Eagle runners posted career-best times as the Tennessee Tech women's cross country finished eighth among 12 teams at the conference meet at Murray State's Miller Memorial Golf Course.
Murray placed 23rd individually in a time of 18:32.4 to lead the Golden Eagles for the second consecutive meet. Her time ranks as the second-best of her Tech career, the 14th fastest in school history and fourth-best by the team this year.
Junior Sarah Brandt was next across the line for coach Wayne Angel's squad in 34th place with a time of 18:48.6. It ranks as the 23rd best in school history and her third-best career time in purple and gold.
Freshman Sonel Bezuidenhout was the first of three Golden Eagles to post a career-best effort, finishing third on the team and 43rd overall with a time of 19:09.1.
Freshman Jenna Storms placed fourth on the team and 44th in the race, clocking in at 19:09.9, finishing just a breath behind Bezuidenhout.
Tech's final two runners also recorded career-best times. Madison Stremler toured the 5K route in 19:23.8 to place 53rd among the 82 runners. The Tech lineup was completed by Angela Jepchirchir, placing 63rd in 20:06.4.
As expected, Eastern Kentucky captured the team title with a score of 27, placing six runners in the first 10. Eastern Illinois (91) was second, followed by Southeast Missouri (104), host Murray State (106) and Belmont (143) to round out the top five.
Morehead State (158) led the second five, followed by UT Martin (171), Tennessee Tech (192), SIUE (196) and Austin Peay (256). Jacksonville State (331) and Tennessee State (334) filled out the field of 12 teams.
The two top runners didn't come from the top teams. Ann Asipan of UT Martin was the individual winner in 17:03.08, while Belmont's Hannah Wittman placed second overall in 17:15.6.
