By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A pair of top-10 showings highlighted a successful weekend for the Tennessee Tech cross country teams Saturday morning, as the Golden Eagles completed action at the Live at Lou Classic at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky.
The Tech men led the day with a 10th-place finish among the 46 other teams competing in the Blue Race. The Golden Eagle women placed ninth among 41 teams, besting each of their Ohio Valley Conference counterparts in the field, including Morehead State, UT Martin, SIUE, and Southern Indiana.
Pacing the way with an inspired performance for the Tech men in the 8K was Miceal McCaul, placing fourth among the more than 420 runners in the event. The junior clocked in at 24:45.9, the third-fastest 8K of his career and best since the same event last season.
Second among the Golden Eagle runners was McNeese transfer James Hyland, delivering a mark of 25:25.1. The junior finished 32nd overall. Placing third for the purple and gold, junior Chase Faudi turned in a time of 25:41.7.
Junior Nick Beattie registered a time of 26:13.0 to finish in the top quarter of the participants, rounding out a strong showing at the top of the lineup for the Tech men.
For the women, it was Helen Pacurariu-Nagy leading the way for the third straight meet to open the year. The senior crossed the finish line 15th among the more than 380 runners, capturing a finish of 18:22.7.
Out in front of a pack of Golden Eagles completing the scoring was freshman Makaleigh Jessee, earning a top-35 performance of 18:42.0. Ranking third for the Tech women with a time of 19:22.6 was junior Chloe Wade.
Senior Rahab Sawe finished close behind, crossing the line at 19:28.5 to place fourth among the purple and gold. Closing the scoring group less than five seconds behind Sawe was Cookeville native Maddie Long. The junior delivered a time of 19:32.8.
The Golden Eagles will compete next in Evansville, Ind. at the Angel Mounds Invitational on Friday, Oct. 13.
File photo by Emily Armstrong
